1 month ago
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WESTERN BUREAU:
Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie says he has not yet received the lease agreement for the Montego Bay Sports Complex, in St James, as the required internal procedures have not yet been concluded.
In an interview with The Gleaner, McKenzie explained that the multi-step review process that must be completed before the lease reaches his desk, has not yet been completed.
“It would not come directly to my desk,” said McKenzie. “It would be sent to the permanent secretary and there is a committee within the ministry, the Land Divestment Committee, that will assess what has been submitted and they, after their consideration, will make a recommendation to me.”
According to McKenzie, the Land Divestment Committee is made up of representatives from several government agencies.
“The committee is not only made up of persons within local government, but includes other entities, such as the National Land Agency, and other such stakeholders,” said McKenzie, who has responsibility for all facilities that fall under municipal corporations. “Once that process is completed, whatever the outcome, they will make a recommendation to me.”
McKenzie nonetheless indicated that, based on his understanding, the process appears to be in its final stages.
“The process is currently taking place and when that time comes, we will act, based on whatever recommendations that come from the committee,” he said.
FOOTBALL SEASON
Meanwhile, Yoni Epstein, director of Multi-Sports Development Limited (MBMSDL), whose entity is seeking to lease the stadium, said he is hopeful the lease and contract will be finalised before the start of the upcoming football season.
“I believe that we are nearing the end,” said Epstein, whose MBMSDL is the outfit in charge of Jamaica Premier League team, Montego Bay United. “We should be in receipt of the lease and contract before we go into the next season. That is the hope and all indications are we are on track for that.”
MBMSDL, the lone bidder for the facility, submitted its proposal after the bidding process opened in September 2024 and officially closed on November 18. Several months have passed since the St James Municipal Corporation approved the lease to the company, which intends to transform the Montego Bay Sports Complex into a state-of-the-art multi-sport facility.
As part of its $700 million investment plan over three years, MBMSDL intends to develop infrastructure for football, track and field, swimming, and racquet sports. Operational funding is projected at over $51 million annually. Rent is expected to be paid in the form of one per cent of the annual revenue generated from ticket sales and usage fees.
The Montego Bay Sports Complex, located in Catherine Hall, is a 7,000-seat stadium built at a cost of US$14.9 million and opened in June 2010. It is widely regarded as a key component in the development of sports in western Jamaica.
The final decision on leasing the property by the St James Municipal Corporation now hinges on the conclusion of the official government review process.
The artificial running track, deemed unsafe due to wear, has been out of use for track and field since 2018, forcing western Jamaica’s athletes to travel long distances for meets. In 2024, the stadium was closed for five months for $7 million in repairs. Since reopening in January, it has hosted Montego Bay United’s Jamaica Premier League home games and some Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association schoolboy matches.
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