Plans for a new look at Crabbé

30 September 2013

​Jersey’s young people will benefit from a new outdoor activity centre if a plan to rebuild the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Activity Base at Crabbé is approved.

Jersey Youth Service, in partnership with Jersey Property Holdings, have submitted a planning application for the project, which will replace the existing cabins and classroom with a single-storey chalet-style building on the site in the St Mary countryside.

The Crabbé centre was opened in 1981 to cater for the Island’s children and young people and has been popular with youth groups and schools for more than 30 years. It has been in almost constant use for day activities and short residential visits.

Principal Youth Officer Mark Capern said “Many Jersey people have great memories of being out at Crabbé. It’s an excellent outdoor learning environment where our young people can take part in positive activities. The current buildings have served us well but they have reached the end of their life and need to be brought up to modern standards if we want to continue using Crabbé. This is an exciting opportunity to put an up-to-date centre in place for the young people of Jersey.”

New classroom and kitchen 

If the scheme is approved, work can start before the end of this year and the new centre will open in autumn 2014. It will accommodate 30 young people and six staff and will include a new classroom and kitchen as well as improved access for disabled users.

Education, Sport and Culture Minister Deputy Patrick Ryan said “Crabbé is invaluable and plays an important role in our community. It offers young people a chance to be outside in the natural environment in their own Island. This is especially important for groups who do not have easy access to the heart of the countryside. It gives them the kind of experiences that are a valuable part of their personal and social development. I am delighted that our young people will continue to have access to this kind of facility.”

Education, Sport and Culture have worked with the Treasury to bring forward the project, which will cost £926,000.