1 month ago
10
After more than four years, Jamaica Premier League (JPL) football will return to the Harbour View Mini Stadium. The venue, popularly called the ‘Compound’ by Harbour View fans, was recently given the green light to resume the hosting of matches by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
Following the resumption of local football after the COVID-19 pandemic, the five-time JPL champions took the decision to suspend the hosting of JPL matches in order to upgrade the facility which had experienced some deterioration due to the salty air from the nearby sea and soil erosion.
Although there is still more work to be done and a final inspection before the venue is approved for night and televised matches, general manager Clyde Jureidini said they are already 90 per cent complete and working to ensure all is in order to host night games by the end of the year.
“So we have started the task to upgrade the stadium which was built 30 years ago. As we are close to the harbour, there is the salt air from the sea which erodes metal, wood and concrete. There is also the erosion from the hillside and it has broken down the walls. Hopefully in the next two or three months, between now and Christmas, everything will be completed,” he said.
The project, which has already cost millions and is due to cost them millions more, also includes upgrading of the lights and refurbishing the seating.
However, although the club has already purchased some lights – which is the main requirement to host night and televised games – Jureidini revealed that they still need additional lights to get up to the required standard.
“We have bought new and higher quality LED lights. The new lights will come in the island next month. Those will be installed and focused and then we will apply to host televised and night games. That is our target for October. Then we will make it available to the JFF and Professional Football Jamaica Limited to host live TV games in the second round of the JPL in October or November,” Jureidini said.
Victoria Mutual, the Harbour View general manager said, provided $2 million to assist with painting of the dugout and VIP areas, and there are other things to be done as well.
Although the venue has been passed to host their match against Molynes United tomorrow at 3 p.m., the club has been asked to refrain from using the field for training for the next two weeks until after their next inspection.
“They approved our home game for this weekend on the basis that we continue the work we have been doing on and off the field around the stadium.
“For the field specification, they will return on October 10. So we are thankful and grateful to Rockfort (FC) who have helped us, and we are talking with Bull Bay (FC) to see if they can help us stay off the field for the next month or two.”
He added that the community and fans are eager to see football return home, and that the players are motivated going into their first game at home in four years.
“The community is hungry to come back to the Compound. They don’t come to games away, and people tell us constantly they love coming to Harbour View. So we are starting back bit by bit and inviting everybody to come home to see the team and support them,” Jureidini said.
English (US) ·