New lights to set Montego Bay apart

Montego Bay is putting itself in line to host some of football’s biggest events, according to Montego Bay United (MBU) Technical Director Xavier Gilbert.
Gilbert believes the city’s planned state-of-the-art LED lighting upgrade could open the door to international matches, training camps and opportunities surrounding the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I mean that’s significant from a sporting perspective and a Jamaican perspective. You know international games can be held there, and we must remember too that in short, Jamaica might be hosting the Women’s World Cup, so it is good for Montego Bay putting itself in line with Concacaf and FIFA’s requirements,” said Gilbert. 
His optimism follows the announcement of a partnership between Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development Limited (MBMDL) and Musco Lighting to install a new LED sports-lighting system at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.
“Just in case teams might want it for training. It might not necessarily be a venue for games. In case teams want friendly matches, it is available, and also training camps. It is going up, so Montego Bay is putting itself right in line to host such significant events.
The installation forms part of MBMDL’s wider programme to develop the Montego Bay Sports Complex into a modern, multi-sport destination anchored by a FIFA-standard playing surface, upgraded venue infrastructure and commercial amenities designed to serve players, broadcasters, sponsors and the surrounding community.
David Darling, director at Power Lighting & Telecom, said the new system is more energy-efficient, allows for better control, including dimming and remote management, and includes diagnostic capabilities.
“This system burns far less energy than what is currently being used, which is the old technology. You can manage this technology much better, dim the lights, use half-power - actually use a programme to turn on and off the lights from anywhere in the world,” said Darling, who explained that the system must meet a light level of 1000 lux, measured both horizontally and vertically.
Darling mentioned that the old system uses an old technology called the Metal Halide system, while the new one uses the more modern LED system, which means light-emitting diode.
“If there’s an issue with the light, it can be diagnosed. You can log into the control box and actually monitor the light to see what’s going on, how much energy it’s pulling. So there’s a lot of control mechanisms in this kind of lighting technology,” Darling added.
Additional certification requirements may include backup power systems and field quality, said Darling.
In a release, Chairman of MBU Yoni Epstein said:
“We are proud to partner with a manufacturer of Musco’s calibre, the name behind the lights at so many of the world’s great professional stadiums. This project will be like no other in Jamaica. 
“For MBU, it means coming home; our players and our supporters will once again take to their home stadium, now under professional, broadcast-standard lights worthy of the club and the city.
“When these lights come on, Montego Bay will offer a stage that meets the game’s highest standards, and our region will finally have a venue worthy of the football and the fans it has always produced. We can’t wait to play at home again under the lights.”