Football returns to MoBay Sports Complex in December

THE MONTEGO BAY Sports Complex, severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa in 2025, is on course to host its first match back in December, according to the chairman of Montego Bay Multi Sport Development Limited, Yoni Epstein.

“Our intent, as I said before, is to host our first (football) match back at Montego Bay Sports Complex in December,” Epstein said in the Second City yesterday.

Jamaica Premier League campaigners Montego Bay United will, therefore, return to their home base before the end of the year.

“I think the first match is December 2,” he added.

Epstein indicated that the main focus now is the football field, where the grass is coming along nicely.

“We added some additional seedlings last week, so we can’t really touch anything for the next several weeks. But based on a look at the field today, we’re about 80 per cent there,” Epstein explained

Night matches are also on the cards, with Epstein advising that work on the lighting is also moving forward, with the new lighting system now on the island and due to be cleared.

“The first job is actually having the poles stripped,” Epstein said. “The rusting that has developed over the years is cleaned up and fixed. And then in November, the lights will start to be installed, tested, and ready for that December night,” the businessman added.

Epstein said the venue’s seating capacity will also be increased from 8,000.

TRACK WORK

And the chairman of Montego Bay Multi Sport Development Limited explained that work on the track, which has been out of commission for eight years, will start next year.

“The track work will commence in 2027. We’re in the midst of the procurement side now of getting all the prices and determining which partner to work with,” Epstein explained, noting that they have not yet selected a track manufacturer. The Milo Western Relays, the staple track and field event in Western Jamaica, was last staged in Montego Bay in 2018.

“As I’ve always indicated, 2027 will be the year of redevelopment for the track, and it will be launched in January of 2028,” he added.

He said the complex has sent out requests for proposals and is speaking to four or five potential partners as it works out the right pricing structure.

“It’s a big investment for us, so we have a full procurement process. We’ve sent out RFPs (Request for Proposal). We’ve got the data and information to go through and determine who the final person will be,” Epstein said.

Brian.lewis@rjrgleaner.com