MONTEGO BAY, St James — New Floodlights are to be installed at western Jamaica’s premier sporting facility, Jarrett Park, in Montego Bay, at a cost of about $1 million (US$17,000).

The lights, which have already been ordered, are expected to be installed by early November, and will see the complex hosting football matches at night, as well as other activities.

Having discovered that the lighting at the park was sub-standard, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) had earlier placed a restriction on the playing of night matches at the facility.

Chairman of the Jarrett Park Management Committee, Adrian Grant, said the committee was excited about the pending improvements, and described the project as a step in the right direction.

Speaking at a recent civic and community affairs meeting in Montego Bay, Grant said that the committee would be soliciting funds from the community to offset the cost of the lights. The floodlights, he said, should “greatly enhance the status and marketability of Jarrett Park”, as well as improve the overall game of football in western Jamaica.

He noted that the managing committee would be seeking additional funding, from local and international agencies, which would be used for future development of the park into a 20,000-seat stadium.