THE person chosen to run Les Creux Pavilion in St Brelade is asking for public feedback on her plans to turn the former bowls club into “vibrant, mixed use community hub” which will include a full-day nursery, ‘multi-sport events space’ and café.
Jennifer Heald – who was selected as ‘preferred bidder’ for the government-owned site at La Moye in March – said she was still waiting to see a lease but wanted to crack on with the project, hence the call for public input.
She said: “I’m very excited to start inviting community engagement with the project, as we wait for the paperwork formalities and planning permission processes – our proposal remains subject to approval and ministerial consent.
“Les Creux will first and foremost be a community centre, supported by a nursery school and complemented by a café and sports facilities.
“We invite anyone who is interested to give their comments or make any enquiries via the website. We are unable to commit to any contracts or agreements at this early stage but feel it is of great benefit to everyone for us to use this waiting period constructively, to allow us to hit the ground running once handover is complete.”
Ms Heald has a background in the childcare and education sector and runs a nursery in Alderney.
Setting out her proposal for Les Creux, she said: “The existing bowling greens will be repurposed into an affordable, bookable ‘multi-use games area’, supporting volleyball, basketball, pickleball, football, and more – with strong demand already from local clubs, families, and youth providers.
“Indoor spaces will host community groups, workshops, and events, available outside nursery hours to ensure the building is used to its full potential all day, every day.
“The café will provide a welcoming third space, serving the park, pump track, and wider community with affordable, locally sourced food and drinks and supporting on-site events with simple, high-quality catering.
“Critically, the nursery meets an urgent need in the west of the island, where 11% of the population reside with no full-time day nursery facilities. It also provides the core revenue to sustain the site long-term, enabling the community elements to remain accessible and affordable.”
The rebirth of the pavilion and former bowling green at Les Creux Country Park has been a protracted affair since Les Creux Bowls Club shut down in March 2024
In January, Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan announced that the Jersey Community Land Trust had been selected as ‘lead partner’ to run the site but this status was later withdrawn after the not-for-profit organisation withdrew after discovering planning “constraints” which caused a “challenge” to its vision for the site.
Ms Heald’s Les Creux Community Hub and Nursery proposal had initially missed out but was elevated to ‘preferred bidder’ when the JCLT stepped back.
Anyone wishing to view and comment on the plans is asked to visit www.lescreuxcentre.com.
