Mayor Vernon: Track and field will return to MoBay Sports Complex soon

WESTERN BUREAU

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says track and field events will return to the Montego Bay Sports Complex soon.

He says opening the doors of the approximately 6,000-seat sports complex in Catherine Hall will, however, depend on decisions taken following two separate meetings with Sports Minister Olivia Grange and the country’s business leaders.

“We will be providing a space in short order and I will be meeting with the Minister Olivia Grange shortly to discuss the Montego Bay Sports Complex,” Vernon told reporters at a press conference to launch the Jamaica Independent School Association (JISA) Western Track meet.

That event is scheduled for April 18 at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School.

Vernon, who is also the chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation, says discussions have taken place among persons who have a keen interest in the development of the stadium.

“We are talking about athletes, football, aquatics, tennis. We have had discussions with them,” the Montego Bay Mayor said as part of the steps to restore the facility as a multipurpose complex.

“Rest assured that we are working tirelessly to restore the track. So when next we look at the Western Championships, whether it be for public or private schools, there will be a space for the activity to be hosted,” Vernon promised.

However, when pressed for a timeline, Vernon says that will be provided after exploring all his options.

“I will give you a timeline when we have explored all options. We are going to meet with the minister, that’s one option and we are going to meet with corporate leaders, that’s the other option and based on the discussions, how well they progress, we will make a decision,” he said.

At the same time, Vernon said the St James Municipal Corporation, under whose care and management the Montego Bay Sports Complex is vested, is not against partnering with the private sector.

“We are not averse to even looking at a partnership that may come in the form of a lease,” Vernon insisted. “We believe in the interest of the people and whatever action we take we will put the people at the forefront, no one will be disenfranchised by our actions where the sports complex is concerned.

“Going forward we will keep these things in mind and ensure that we provide a space for Western Relays and the independent schools to have their own athletics championships and a space for football to be played at the highest level in St James,” Mayor Vernon said.

In 2011, Jamaica staged the 40th edition of the Carifta Games at the Montego Bay Sports Complex and already Vernon, the newly minted mayor of Montego Bay, believes that the stadium can be restored and be available for yet another edition of the regional games.

“We will be looking at the Montego Bay Sports Complex as a space for us to be hosting the Carifta Games, even for swimming, a space for us to play professional tennis and a place for football,” he revealed.

The Montego Sports Complex which was built by the Urban Development Corporation under the San Jose Accord Programme was constructed to accommodate 7,000 persons, an all-weather running track, multi-use courts, a football field, administrative facilities, bathrooms and changing rooms, lighting, adequate parking facility and complete security fencing.

The US$14.9 million facility was officially opened in 2010 but nine years later it was rendered unsafe for track and field competition by the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association as the all-weather 400m track had deteriorated.

Since then, all major meets, including Western Relays, Western Primary Schools Athletics Championships and Western Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships organised by the County of Cornwall Athletics Association, have been moved to other venues as far as St Catherine.