Education Minister Rob Ward is resisting calls for the Millennium Town Park to be extended instead of adjoining land being used for a new St Helier primary school.
The Millennium Town Park Support Group wants islanders to write to their deputies and parish constable about extending the green space in town, which is a popular spot for children to play and for people who live nearby to enjoy.
It has organised a public meeting for this evening (8 October) at the Town Hall to put pressure on politicians to rally support.
The government wants to use the neighbouring site of the former Jersey Gas showroom to build a modern school in the centre of St Helier.
It would replace Springfield school, St Luke's school and Le Passarelle.
Deputy Rob Ward has suggested spades could be hit the ground as soon as next year.
In a video on the government's social media channels ahead of tonight's public meeting, the Education Minister set out why he believes a new school is essential:
"Right now, Springfield and St Luke's are falling short in terms of the facilities that they have.
"Classrooms are cramped, outdoor space is well below recommended levels, and there's no dedicated provision for children with additional needs.
"A new school will bring three schools together on one modern, purpose-built site, with over 5,000 square metres of outdoor space, specialist facilities and room to grow."
The Millennium Town Park Support Group's main argument is that the park is being outgrown by the community, as thousands of new flats are being built in the north of St Helier.
Chairman Bernie Manning says larger parks are more beneficial to the community.
"We feel that it [the park] is too small.
"If the gasworks showroom were used as a community youth club, that would support the youth as well.
"80% to 85% of the people we speak to agree the park needs extending, especially if we have another sort of outbreak like COVID, we need the open space.
"With all these flats being built in the north of St Helier, we really need the park to be extended."
Deputy Rob Ward says that if a school were built on the former gasworks site, another park would be built on the site of Springfield primary school.
"[It would add] over 5,000 metres of green space, right in the heart of St Helier.
"That's a win for education and a win for the entire community."
The new town school will provide access to a modern, inclusive, and inspiring learning environment, which will serve some of our most diverse and vulnerable communities. This is a vital and much-needed investment in Jersey which will make a huge difference for children and young people. Watch the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Robert Ward - Reform Jersey's statement below. Children, Young People, Education and Skills
Posted by Government of Jersey on Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Islanders can hear all sides of the argument at the Town Hall at 7:00 pm tonight (8 October 2025).
Speakers include Education Minister Rob Ward, Deputy David Warr, Constable Simon Crowcroft and the Millennium Town Park Support Group.
Constable Crowcroft is bringing a vote to Jersey's States Assembly this month asking ministers to reconsider their plans for a school on the land.
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