KINGSTON, Jamaica-The recent signing of a Framework for Cooperation between the Jamaican and United Kingdom governments, could see the long talked-about redevelopment of the National Stadium progress to the implementation stage.

Minister of Sport, Olivia Grange provided the update on Tuesday during her contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

She stated that the Ministry of Finance signed on behalf of the Government of Jamaica while UK Export Finance represents the UK Government.

Previous estimates indicate that it will cost in the region of US$100 million to redevelop the stadium that was opened in 1962, the same year that Jamaica gained independence from Britain.

Grange explained that the framework “establishes a basis for both sides to collaborate and cooperate for the purpose of financing projects in Jamaica involving exports from the United Kingdom, for the purposes of achieving the economic development objectives of Jamaica”.

“Among the priority projects listed to be addressed in this framework is the redevelopment of the National Stadium,” she stated.

“Through this framework, a team of architects and project managers from the UK held discussions with my team at the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and sent us a proposal for the renovation and re-development of facilities at Independence Park, particularly the National Stadium.

“The document, in essence, proposes to not only address the shortcomings of the existing stadium but also to identify (through qualitative and quantitative assessment) the full potential of this iconic stadium through its enhancement as a major tournament venue, training centre and visitor attraction to promote Jamaica and Jamaican sporting talent,” Grange outlined.

She said her ministry “considered the proposal, which also has the development of the sports museum in its scope, and we accepted it”.

“We have communicated our decision to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service which will finalise the funding agreement and release funds in short order to begin phase one of the development which is the Stadium Assessment and Feasibility Study”.

The sport minister said “we are deliberately establishing a world class stadium for our world class athletes and entertainers. And we’re still targeting to break ground in August 2025”.

Grange also spoke to the issue of inadequate lighting at the facility that resulted in an international friendly between the Dominican Republic and Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz earlier this month moved to an earlier time.

“We have also asked the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service to provide special funding in the amount of J$75 million for urgent remedial work …to address the lighting infrastructure”.

She noted that the remedial work must be completed by September for the stadium to meet the FIFA requirements for international matches that are scheduled to be played at ‘the office’ in the second and third week of September.