The Montego Bay Multi-Sport Development Limited is poised to invest over JMD$700 million to refurbish and expand the Montego Bay Sports Complex, should their bid be approved by the Jamaican Government. The entity is the sole bidder for the facility, which has languished in disrepair for several years.
The proposed investment, spread across three tranches, aims to transform the venue into a premier sports and events hub in the Caribbean. Speaking to the Sportsmax.TV, Chairman Yoni Epstein expressed optimism about the project’s approval.
Montego Bay Multi-Sport Development Limited has proposed a 25-year lease, starting with an annual rental fee of $6.3 million for the first 20 years. Additionally, they will take over the facility’s current operating costs, estimated at $50 million per year. For years 21 to 25, the rental model will shift to one per cent of gross revenues derived from events. The complex will also be available for non-sporting events, with plans to rent the venue for entertainment and community activities.
The proposal is currently under review by the divestment task force and will require final approval from the Ministry of Local Government. Epstein expressed hope that a decision would be made in the coming weeks.
“The government has accepted our bid, and it now goes to the divestment task force for assessment,” Epstein explained. The bid will then be sent to Local Government for approval.
The first phase of the refurbishment will prioritize upgrading the football pitch to international standards, enhancing lighting to meet the CONCACAF-approved 1,000-lumen threshold, and resurfacing the track to support major athletics events. Epstein emphasized the importance of restoring the facility to attract high-profile events.
“While I am more recently known for Montego Bay United Football Club, it's not solely about football. Our intent in the first tranche is to continue to rehabilitate the pitch. As you know, we play all of our home matches there. We want to continue to capitalize on what refurbishment they did and get that back to international levels,” Epstein revealed.
“We want to bring the Western Relays back to Montego Bay. The aim is to establish the complex as the premier facility in the Caribbean, capable of hosting events like the CARIFTA Games and international track and field meets, as well as football matches.”
Epstein also shared that their plans also include constructing a full-size football pitch and smaller 5G pitches for community use, alongside the addition of tennis courts, pickle-ball courts, and a 50-metre swimming pool to cater to aquatics. Epstein highlighted the facility’s potential to attract sports tourism, given Montego Bay’s proximity to hotels and its reputation as a tourist hub.
“There are a lot of swim meets, track meets, and football tournaments that we miss out on in Jamaica because we lack the facilities. With Montego Bay’s infrastructure and appeal, we can bring more of these events here, benefiting the local economy,” he said.
If approved, the project promises to breathe new life into the Montego Bay Sports Complex, providing a world-class facility for sports, entertainment, and community engagement.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Molynes United pick up first points of season with 4-0 win over Chapelton Maroons; Portmore United, Warehouse also secure victories
Molynes United, Portmore United and Waterhouse all picked up wins in the latest round of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League on Sunday.
Molynes picked up their first points of the season with a dominant 4-0 win over Chapelton Maroons at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
Honors were even until six minutes before halftime when Jevaughn Brown gave Molynes United the lead.
The scoring was completed in the second half by Mickel Graham (53’, 71’) and Taraj Andrews (86’) as the Kingston-based club secured their first points of the young season.
Elsewhere, a 37th minute strike from Junior Grizelle and a second half stoppage time goal from Shacquwell Henry gave Portmore United a 2-0 win over Vere Phoenix United at Ferdie Neita Park.
In the day’s other games, Atapharoy Bygrave scored just before halftime for Waterhouse in a 1-0 win over Tivoli Gardens at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex while Humble Lion and Harbour View played out a 1-1 draw at the Effortville Community Centre.
Oquassa Chong gave Harbour View the lead in the 25th minute before Andre Clennon equalized for Humble Lion in the 67th.
On Monday, defending champions Cavalier SC will take on Dunbeholden at Sabina Park while a double-header at the Montego Bay Sports Complex will see Mount Pleasant facing Racing United before Montego Bay United battles Arnett Gardens.
Inaugural First Half Only schoolboy football set to ignite Catherine Hall
The inaugural staging of the First Half Only 45 Schoolboy football Extravaganza, is expected to ignite the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall on Saturday, as six Manning and daCosta Cup schools will vie for cash prize and a title to boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming ISSA schoolboy football season.
This groundbreaking tournament, set to take place under the patronage of Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon, promises an exhilarating day of competition and community spirit, beginning with an exciting “kickoff” ceremony led by the Mayor.
The evening's highlight features electrifying matches between St. Catherine High, Rusea's High, William Knibb High, Cornwall College, Manchester High, and Irwin High Schools. Each team is prepared to showcase their best in this specially curated tournament, with the winning school set to pocket a grand prize of JMD$500,000.
Dr. Dean Weatherly, Head coach of Irwin High School, welcomed the initiative, which aims to revitalize interest in schoolboy football across Jamaica, broaden its fan base, and attract investment from football governing bodies and corporate entities into grassroots football development.
“The 45 Minutes tournament is a great concept and is one where we can see the other talents that exist in Western Jamaica as well as to see where we are in our training sessions. As far as the tournament goes, it is one that people need to come out and watch as they’ll be seeing some great young minds at work and talent on the field,” Weatherly declared.
St. Catherine High’s Anthony Patrick echoed similar sentiments.
“It's a welcomed opportunity, one we are looking forward to, and one that will benefit our players immensely, especially the youngsters we want to showcase this schoolboy season, ones who will be graduating this year. The 45-minute format is crucial—winning in the first half is always crucial so this concept encourages a different type of sportsmanship, we'll be putting our best foot forward to make an impact and allow the young talent to shine,” Patrick shared.
For Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon, the sport presents limitless opportunities for community and individual development in Jamaica, particularly in the Western part of the island.
“The sport has experienced a significant decline in Western Jamaica in recent years, evidenced by the success of teams at the national and schoolboy levels. Therefore, all support is needed to revitalize the discipline and provide an outlet for youngsters to be meaningfully engaged,” the Mayor said.
“It also provides unique advantages for sports tourism in western Jamaica, with Montego Bay being among the top destinations globally. As such, I'm vested to reimagine and rebuild Western football by playing a key role,” he added.
Meanwhile, Erin Mitchell of sponsors Wisynco, pointed out that lending support to the initiative was a no-brainer.
“Schoolboy Football is a crucial pillar for many of our brands, and we are proud to support this initiative in the west, reinforcing our commitment to schoolboy football in Jamaica,” Mitchell noted.
Pre-sold tickets are $1,000 and $2,500 for Bleachers and Grandstand, while tickets at the gate, are $1,500 and $3,000. Pre-sold tickets are available at Western Sports,
Bryan again on target for Waterhouse but MBU rally late for 2-2 stalemate
Former champions Montego Bay United extended their unbeaten run across four games, as they showed grit and determination in their come-from-behind 2-2 stalemate with Waterhouse in a lively Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (WNJPL) encounter at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall on Monday.
It was a contest worthy to be the first at the venue in almost 10 months as fans, who braved a downpour, were treated to end-to-end action for the most parts. The small turnout particularly came to life when Montego Bay United through Lucas Lima Correa (75th) and Owayne Gordon (83rd) overturned a two-goal deficit, after the League's leading scorer Javane Bryan (32nd) and Revaldo Mitchell (59th) put Waterhouse up.
With the point, eighth-placed Montego Bay United inched up 19 points, one behind Waterhouse in seventh position.
Montego Bay United's Head coach Neider Dos Santos welcomed the point as part of their steady ascension up the order.
"I feel like we should have won the match in the last 20 minutes, but we didn't and it's just the nature of the game because they played well in the first half, and we played better in the second half. Our midfield was very open in the first half, and we fixed it second half and we proved something because even two goals down the players never gave up. So, we just have to build on this," he said in a post-match interview.
Waterhouse adjusted best to the underfoot conditions and dominated proceedings for most of the first half but squandered numerous chances. They inevitably broke the deadlock two minutes past the half-hour mark when Navardo Blair's weighted cross found and unmarked Bryan, who expertly headed home his 10th on the season.
Montego Bay United's best chances of the half came through Gordon and Brian Brown, but both were denied by Kemar Foster's brilliance in goal for Waterhouse, as they went to the break 1-0 up.
Waterhouse maintained their momentum on the resumption and doubled the lead on the stroke of the hour mark through Mitchell, who rose highest to steer Denardo Thomas' well-weighted corner kick past the advancing William Ferreira.
The Drewsland-based team could have added to their tally and put the game beyond doubt, but for faulty shooting on the part of the usually clinical Andre Fletcher and others, and they later paid for their profligacy.
Lucas Lima Correa pulled one back for Montego Bay United in the 75th when he finished off a rebound for his third goal of the season after Foster blocked Brown's initial effort.
And the host were back on level terms eighth minutes later when Gordon applied a delightful first touch to Gregson President's chip pass, followed by a stinging left-footed drive that whistled past Foster, who had no chance at a save. That goal marked Gordon's second since his recent return to Jamaica's top-flight, and 48th across his Premier League career.
Both teams pushed for the win but came up short and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Waterhouse's Head coach Marcel Gayle, like his counterpart felt the win was there for the taking.
"When you look at it, it could be considered a loss, but nevertheless I thought we played well. I thought we were in full control of the game until we lost concentration and gave up two silly goals. It has been an issue for us all season and we paid for it, so we just have to take the point, move on and turn our attention to the next game," Gayle noted.
Matchweek 15 Results
Lime Hall Academy 0, Portmore United 2
Mount Pleasant 1, Treasure Beach 0
Harbour View 0, Vere United 0
Humble Lion 0, Dunbeholden FC 0
Tivoli Gardens 0, Cavalier FC 0
Arnett Gardens 4, Molynes United 1
Montego Bay United 2, Waterhouse 2
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