Although excited to reopen the Harbour View Stadium to top-flight football after a four-year hiatus, Harbour View FC General Manager Clyde Jureidini says millions more will need to be spent to reach their desired standards.

For the first time since February 2020, the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) will be played at the stadium as the five-time champions host Molynes United today at 3 pm.

The stadium was closed when football was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and though other clubs returned to their home grounds after the easing of restrictions in 2022, the club’s management opted to renovate the stadium before reopening.

They were hit with a few delays, which meant that they were unable to meet the deadline for the 2023-24 season. However, they are now on course after upgrades to facilities such as the playing surface, seating, fencing, and lighting.

Although the exact figures are undisclosed, the Sunday Observer understands that the project has exceeded $4 million. Jureidini says additional funds will be needed for further upgrades and maintenance.

“There’s a lot more to be done,” he told the Observer. “A lot of millions have been spent and a lot more will have to be spent; more on the lights, more on infrastructure, we have walls that the last three hurricanes have damaged, we have other things that we want to upgrade. It will take more time and more money and more commitment from the club. Hopefully some sponsors will come on board to assist us.”

While bemoaning the lack of support from corporate Jamaica, Jureidini is hoping they will help to offset major costs through sponsorships.

“When we’re finished investing and building, we’ll invite others to come on board because we’ve invited and been in the media for the last year or two,” he said. “We’ve asked and we haven’t seen persons come but usually people like to join when the things are done, so we’ll finish it to our measure then we’ll value it, price it and offer it for partners to come on board.

“It’s a long-term investment so we took the initial steps, showed the spirit and foresight of what is needed and we’ll sell to the market or offer to partners to come on board to brand and get the rights of the stadium or share with us with our billboards, signboards, purchase a stand or sponsor a junior or senior team; we’re open for commercialisation.”

Jureidini is also optimistic that the team will be able to be locally and internationally broadcast from their home venue soon due to their investment in new lighting.

“The lights have been upgraded and we changed the technology, we brought in some LED lamps and we have some more that are on the way from China which should be here some time in October,” he said. “Once those are installed, we’ll request the JFF [Jamaica Football Federation] to come and approve it so we can go back and having night games where it’s more comfortable for patrons. Hopefully by next month, we can also go back to hosting televised games.”

The “Stars of the East” struggled during the 2023-24 JPL season, finishing with the worst record in the club’s history. They ended the season in 12th place with 22 points, avoiding relegation by just nine points.

However, Jureidini is hoping the return to the stadium will revitalise the team in chasing a sixth JPL title under new head coach Jason Henry.

“[There’s] no anxiety, no nervousness. Just excitement and humility,” he said. “The players are excited, the coaching staff is excited, the community is excited and we’re hoping we get a good turnout against Molynes.

“We want to reverse [last season] quickly, get to where we think we ought to be, what everybody expects of us and get to the level of where we want to go and blaze that trail. It’s one step at a time; we started with a win and a loss and hopefully we can stay in a positive way and the team performs much better than last year, but importantly get back to the level of our five championship titles.”

Sunday’s games

Vere United vs Humble Lion — Wembley Centre of Excellence @ 3 pm

Harbour View vs Molynes United — Harbour View Stadium @ 3 pm

Waterhouse vs Cavalier — Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex @ 5 pm

Arnett Gardens vs Racing United — Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex @ 7:30 pm