MOU Signed For Refurbishing Of Montego Bay Sports Complex

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, has welcomed the signing of an agreement for the multi-billion dollar refurbishing and expansion of the Montego Bay Sports Complex as a watershed moment for sports and community development in St. James.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the St. James Municipal Corporation and Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development (MBMSD) was signed at the Corporation on February 24.

It provides the MBMSD with a 25-year lease, under which the organisation will deliver a state-of-the-art facility, enabling the city to host major local and regional sports events.

The upgrades will include a new swimming facility, a resurfaced 400-meter all-weather track, courts for racket sports, and expanded seating to accommodate growing fan demand. Football, which serves as a cornerstone of community life, is expected to return to the complex within six to 12 months.

“This is about more than rebuilding a stadium. It’s about reopening a gateway for our youth, our clubs and our fans. We expect to see football back under lights, we expect to see our premier league teams here and we expect to welcome regional matches that will lift western Jamaica,” Councillor Vernon said.

The Mayor noted that the project aligns with the city’s broader tourism and economic goals.

“Montego Bay is the tourism capital of Jamaica, and a world-class sports complex is a magnet for visitors, events and investments,” he pointed out.

“A state-of-the-art facility will not only attract regional championships and see a return of the Western Relays but will also support our hotels, restaurants and service sectors by extending the length and breadth of the visitor season,” he added.

“It’s a catalyst for western Jamaica’s growth, creating opportunities for youth, improving safety and accessibility, and placing St. James on the map as a premier host for Caribbean competitions,” he noted further.

MBMSD Chairman, Johan Epstein, in his remarks, said that the upgrading project will enable the Montego Bay Sports Complex to host premier league fixtures and potential Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) games, contingent on meeting international lighting and facility standards.