WITH plans in place for Montego Bay Sports Complex to be leased, noted businessman Yoni Epstein says he will apply for the right to undertake a transformation which will bring more sporting success to Jamaica’s western belt.

The 14-year-old stadium, located in Catherine Hall, St James, has had its fair share of issues, particularly surrounding the athletic track which has been out of commission since 2019 due to the need for repair work.

St James Municipal Corporation (STJMC) reopened the stadium to football in February, after it was closed for nearly a year, to allow the $7-million upgrade of the playing surface.

Mayor of Montego Bay Richard Vernon told the Jamaica Observer last Wednesday that STJMC made the decision to lease the stadium, with the process of submitting applications reportedly opening on Friday. STJMC’s cost of maintaining the stadium is understood to be $50 million annually.

“A main condition for the applicants is that of being a registered sports development entity. In other words, applicants must present a plan for multidisciplinary buildout for the stadium, particularly track and field, football, tennis, swimming, and futsal — main staples for all parishioners. Netball, basketball, cricket, martial arts, and boxing are otherwise facilitated and will demand larger facilities as they grow, however for now the aforementioned are the key areas,” said Vernon.

Epstein, chief executive officer of business process outsourcing entity itel and chairman of Montego Bay United Football Club, told the Observer that his interest in being the lessee is due to his passion for developing the city’s sporting culture.

“When that comes out, we will respond to it — not as Montego Bay United but as a separate entity, because one of the things I feel is very important is Catherine Hall [Montego Bay Sports Complex] is not only about football. Catherine Hall needs rehabilitation of the track, swimming, tennis, futsal — a full, multi-sport development. That would be my approach if given the opportunity to be the custodian of the stadium,” he said.

The stadium has hosted high-level track and field events including the Carifta Games. However, events such as the Milo Western Relays have had to move to other facilities in recent years. Last June, Sports Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange said Sports Development Foundation (SDF) had previously budgeted $200 million to upgrade the track but that the costs could be higher now due to the lengthy delays.

However, Epstein says he’s committed to the upgrade and intends to have major local and international sporting events at the stadium.

“The thing I love about Montego Bay is: It’s not only about football, it’s about the opportunity for multiple types of sports and the fact that international companies want to host events in Jamaica — and Catherine Hall certainly provides that opportunity. So, there’s a whole tourism aspect brought to the table for both local and international events once the stadium gets back to the level of international standard,” he said.

Epstein believes Montego Bay can be the home for the country’s best athletes, instead of them finding alternate areas to live and train.

“The gene pool is there. We’ve seen how many talented individuals have come out of Montego Bay and, unfortunately, they’ve been forced to go to Kingston. Therefore, having this opportunity for athletes is a huge thing for the west, and it’s a passion of mine and the rest of the individuals involved and one which we want to see executed,” he said.

Montego Bay United currently host matches at Montego Bay Sports Complex. Additionally, the venue is slated to stage Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association football matches for the rest of 2024 season.

In this February 2017 file photo, Elaine Thompson (right) takes the baton from then MVP Track and Field Club teammate Srabani Nanda in the Women’s 4x100m Relay race during the 39th staging of the Milo Western Relays at Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, St James. (Photo: Paul Reid)

EPSTEIN… it’s about the opportunity for multiple types of sports and the fact that international companies want to host events in Jamaica (Philp Lemonte)