TRELAWNY, Jamaica – If ongoing talks between officials of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and private interests are successful, a whopping US$550 million could be pumped into transforming the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium into a high performance sports complex.

Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange spoke to the ongoing talks on Tuesday as she made her contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives. She said the transformed complex would accommodate 21 sporting disciplines, host international games, awards ceremonies and serve as training grounds.

Grange stressed that the venture is driven by private equity and not public funding.

“This sports tourism development also proposes the construction of high rise condominiums and a hotel. The discussions about this exciting development are going well and I look forward to more constructive talks towards a deal,” Grange shared.

“In the meantime, we continue to make Trelawny stadium available for a range of activities,” she added, while stating that “so far this year, the stadium has hosted cricket tournament matches, parties, the Jamaica Youth Festival and church services”.

“Later this year, it is scheduled to host the Trelawny Football Association finals, the Sandals Annual Fun Day, among other entertainment events”.

The sports minister said the Government was determined to exploit the full potential of Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium for the benefit of the Jamaican people.

Additionally, she said the administration continues to invest heavily in national, community and school sport, welfare, coaching and the development of facilities.

“Indeed, in the last calendar year, the Sports Development Foundation invested J$515 million on programmes and initiatives that reached every corner of Jamaica, from community sports to the elite level,” the minister said.