ST JAMES, Jamaica — In a pivotal step toward reviving a key regional recreational hub, the St James Municipal Corporation has committed JA$20 million in funding to Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited, marking the official launch of the cleanup phase for the long-awaited Montego Bay Sports Complex rehabilitation project. The funding announcement was made Wednesday during a public ceremony hosted at the complex itself, where organizers also unveiled full master plans for the site’s extensive refurbishment and expansion. The venue suffered extensive structural and terrain damage last October when Hurricane Melissa swept across Jamaica, leaving critical facilities, including the main football pitch, submerged and ruined by floodwaters.
Montego Bay Mayor and Councillor Richard Vernon shared details of the municipal contribution during the ceremony, emphasizing the local government’s commitment to revitalizing public sports infrastructure for the St James community. Johann ‘Yoni’ Epstein, who leads both Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited and top-tier local football club Montego Bay United, confirmed that the flood-ravaged main football field is on track to be fully restored and ready to host matches in time for the 2026-27 national football season.
Beyond repairing existing damage, the project’s long-term vision transforms the underutilized site into a multi-purpose regional sports destination. The master plan includes adding multiple new full-size football pitches, a regulation Olympic-sized swimming pool, dedicated futsal courts, facilities for racquet sports such as tennis and squash, on-site athlete dormitories, and a fully equipped public gym. The redevelopment project has been years in the making: Montego Bay Multi Sports Development first submitted a 25-year lease bid for the complex valued at roughly JA$700 million in November 2024, and the partnership between the private development group and municipal government was formalized with a signed Memorandum of Understanding this past February. The new 25-year lease agreement paves the way for phased construction and upgrades to be rolled out over the coming years.