THE pavilion and former bowling green at Les Creux Country Park will become a nursery school and hub for community activities and sport, after the government selected a new partner to run the site.
Les Creux Community Hub and Nursery was named the ‘preferred bidder’ to run the St Brelade site by Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan in the States Assembly on Tuesday.
The Constable said he was pleased to make the announcement and he had asked for discussion to start about signing a lease.
He added: “I’ve also agreed they [the hub and nursery] can begin engagement and consultation with the community to ensure that their proposed operation at the maximises community involvement.
“It is important to be clear, however, that their bid remains subject not only to the agreement of a lease with the public, but also to agreement in respect of the change of use permissions that will be required as part of their proposal.
“I am, however, encouraged by the excellent potential for this organisation as preferred bidder to ensure La Creux becomes a focal point for the community engagement, particularly in St Brelade.”
The person behind the successful bid is Jersey-based businesswoman Jennifer Heald, who has a background in the childcare and education sector, and runs a nursery in Alderney.
She told the JEP: “We are delighted to be moving forward with our proposal for a Les Creux Community Centre and Nursery School. This vision was shaped through close collaboration with parish representatives and, within the limited timeframe available, through meetings with as many relevant community groups as possible.
“A key aim is to increase the options available for children and young people, enhance sports offerings all while creating a space that serves the wider community. We now look forward to engaging further with the parish, Jersey Property Holdings and wider community as the project develops.”
Ms Heald said that the register, full-day nursery would very much focus on learning and developing in nature. She added that, with the Alderney Children’s Centre, she had a successful example of a nursery working closely with the community.
The model is that revenue from the nursery will help to fund the community provision at the hub. There will also be a year-round, serving-hatch café on site open to members of public.
She said that the plan was for the top outdoor area to be marked for a variety of casual-rather-than-competitive games and sports, while the former greens would be left for a while to allow the community to have its say on its use.
In the States Assembly, St Brelade’s Deputies Jonathan Renouf and Helen Miles both welcomed the announcement, but Deputy Renouf expressed concern that the forthcoming political purdah period may delay the process further.
Mr Jehan said that the timeline was dependent on the landowner, who had been out of the Island, but discussions were now underway. He added that the planning application for change of use would be submitted by his department as lessee rather than the landowner.
The fate of the empty pavilion at La Moye, which was vacated by the Les Creux Bowls Club in March 2024, has been a protracted affair.
In January, Mr Jehan announced that a not-for-profit community trust had been selected as ‘lead partner’ to run the site but this status was later withdrawn.
