Westmount bowling club moving to Warwick Farm

Wednesday 03 February 2021

The Jersey Bowling Club – which has been based on Westmount Road since 1910 – is moving to Warwick Farm to make way for the new hospital highway.

The oldest bowls club in the Channel Islands will be reluctantly leaving its home after States Members officially agreed Westmount as the key access route for the new hospital at Overdale on Monday, although the exact dimensions and route are yet to be finalised.

The club, which has 140 members, will leave on 12 September and move into their new home in April 2022, in time for the start of the outdoor bowls season.

It is, however, subject to Planning approving the new access road. If it isn’t approved, or if the Government chooses to retain the existing road - the club will stay.

Pictured: The club has been based at Westmount for 111 years.

However, club stalwart and past president Jean Lowery told Express that members had accepted that, after more than a century of overlooking People’s Park, the club was likely to move. 

“We are confident that Warwick Farm will be a good home,” she said. “It is on a flat site and not too far away for members. It will also have a car park, a clubhouse, a workshop and gardens -  basically everything that we have now, but more modern.

“We don’t want to go - Westmount is a place of great memories for many members, but we are right underneath the hairpin so there is a reluctant acceptance that we have to.”

Pictured: The new club will be built immediately on the left as you turn into Warwick Farm off Grande Route de Saint Jean.

The new club will be immediately on the left after turning into Warwick Farm off La Grande Route de Saint Jean. Further along the entrance road is the home of Jersey Hemp. 

States-owned Warwick Farm was identified as a possible site for the new hospital but it failed to make the final-five shortlist in September, which was then narrowed down to Overdale or the People’s Park, before Overdale became the preferred choice in November. 

An attempt to put Warwick Farm back on the shortlist was rejected by States Members that month.

Deputy Hugh Raymond, who is the Assistant Minister with responsibility for sport.

Deputy Hugh Raymond negotiated with the club in his capacity as the assistant minister with responsibility for sport but he is also a member of the Political Oversight Group which led the hospital selection process. 

“I appreciate that the club would have preferred to stay where they are but they have been very understanding and pragmatic,” he said. “They are also getting a larger site with more parking spaces and a new pavilion with more toilets and showers.

“As well as the club, Jersey Sport, the district deputies, Planning, and Jersey Hemp have all been consulted and everyone seems supportive of the move.” 

Deputy Raymond added that he did not yet know the cost of the new lawn and facilities, which will be funded by taxpayers.