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Montego Bay mayor condemns unauthorised use of Catherine Hall
A view from the grandstand at the Montego Bay Sports Complex (Photo: Paul A Reid)
Latest News
April 22, 2023

Montego Bay mayor condemns unauthorised use of Catherine Hall

ST JAMES, Jamaica – Mayor of Montego Bay, Leeroy Williams, has condemned the actions of individuals, who were recorded on video driving two high-powered racing cars on the Mondo synthetic track at the Montego Bay Sports Complex at Catherine Hall.

A copy of the 10-second video, which was seen by the Jamaica Observer, shows the two cars headed in the direction of the track’s finish line in front of the grand stand.

Williams said the improper and unauthorised use of the track has not only upset the St James Municipal Corporation but also members of the public at large, particularly the sporting community, especially at a time when funding is being sought to rehabilitate the track.

On Friday, Williams disclosed that he has ordered an investigation into the circumstances. “How did they get there, we have security and [the drivers] must have been given access.”

READ: NOT ON OUR TRACK!

“We are deeply disappointed that persons who have the capacity to facilitate the necessary settings for a video-shoot saw the unauthorised use of the track as an option to use motorcars. This is untenable and wrong on many levels,” said Williams in a news release on Saturday.

“This action, particularly at this time when we are putting plans in place to rehabilitate the running track and the football field is totally unacceptable and I strongly condemn the actions of all the parties involved. Swift action will be taken, and the necessary persons held accountable at the end of our investigation,” added Williams.

In addition to the running track being closed for restoration, the release said that the mayor recently ordered the closure of the football field to accommodate rehabilitation of the playing surface ahead of the new football season.

“We believe in sports as a vehicle to development, and it is our intention to improve the facility to revitalise track and field in western Jamaica along with upgrading the football field to host even more games. In light of this discussion, we call again on the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport (Olivia Grange) to use her office to influence a speedy rehab of the track as we prepare the playing surface ahead of the new football season,” the mayor stated.

Meanwhile, champion race car driver Doug “Hollywood” Gore has distanced himself from claims he has disrespected the all-weather running track at the sports complex.

READ: ‘MY CAR NEVER CAME OUT OF FIRST GEAR!’

The stadium’s running track, which was recently visited and assessed for repairs by the Social Development Fund and technical personnel from the St James Municipal Corporation, is scheduled to be rehabilitated. It has not been in operation for several years, according to the news release.

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