AFTER a delay of nearly three years, work on the Montego Bay sports complex should begin by early next year.

The complex will be built on some 20 acres of land in the Catherine Hall area of Montego Bay.

“The contract is now with the contractors, Ashtrom Limited, for signing and I expect that they will be on site by next Month,” Urban Development Corporation area manager, Winston Ritchie, told the Observer.

He said, however, that work will not start until January.

Ritchie was unable to state the contract figure, but said that Ashtrom would be expected to lay the running track, establish a football field, put in 2,000 seats, bathrooms and hard courts and fence the property.

He said the contractors would determine the time period for the completion of the contract, as the UDC has changed its policy of giving deadlines.

“We no longer give contractors completion dates, they tell us when they can complete the project, and if they don’t do that, then we can sue for damages,” Ritchie Said.

Under phase one of the project, the land was cleared and marled. A swimming pool is also expected to be built, during the third phase.

Prime Minister PJ Patterson announced the plan for the sports complex nearly three years ago. The complex was expected to be built with funds sourced under the San Jose accord, however, these plans fell through.

The St James Sports Development Council had earlier this year issued a call for the government to deliver on its promise and build the complex.