$700m transformation! - Private group secures 25-year lease for Montego Bay Sports Complex

The future of the Montego Bay Sports Complex has been decided for at least the next 25 years. The St James Municipal Corporation (StJMC) signed off on a 25-year lease agreement with lone-bidders, Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development Ltd (MBMSDL), at the corporation yesterday.

The deal paves the way for a $700 million redevelopment of the western Jamaica venue. The project aims to generate income through daily sports activities and youth development according to Yoni Epstein, head of MBMSDL.

"Our intent going after this is that it must generate income, and it must be something that is beneficial to the city. We call it project 365, as the stadium cannot survive only on big matches or big events, it has to survive on everyday opportunities," Epstein said, noting that the 7,000 capacity seating could probably get to about 12,000 in a very similar structure.

"Tennis, football, Pickle ball, and aquatics every day. Youth development from a football perspective and all the different sports disciplines, track and field and so on, are really what is going to rebuild the west."

"This partnership is to ensure that everyone has that ability to regain that power and show the other side of the island that the second city is the best city," added Epstein.

The deal signals a long-overdue revival for the US$14.9 million complex, opened in 2010, which has not hosted a major track meet since 2018 and has gradually fallen into disrepair.

Under the agreement, MBMSDL will roll out a phased development schedule aimed at restoring the complex to full operation after the lease takes effect on March 1.

"The timelines in the contract has football starting within six months and be completed within 12 months, the swimming pool, within a year and a half, the track, within 12 to 24 months, and racket sports within two years. All other parts of the development, which includes a car park, expansion of seating, and all of that within the first five years," said Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon.

The agreement comes at a critical time for the facility, which has suffered years of deterioration and was extensively damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa late last year. The setback is a major blow for the once-vibrant venue, which has now been left scarred and unusable.

The company projects annual operational spending of more than $51 million, with rent to be paid through one per cent of revenue generated from ticket sales and usage fees, a model stakeholders hope will usher in a new era of sustainable sports management in Montego Bay. Employment is expected to reach 20-30 full-time positions.