Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon has announced that the proposed transformation of the Montego Bay Sports Complex into a true multi-sport facility is now awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Local Government before moving to the next phase.

The plan envisions the development of facilities for swimming, tennis, netball, football, and track and field, creating a home for athletes in western Jamaica to train and showcase their talents. Vernon said the initiative is being pursued through a public-private partnership involving corporate sponsors and the Montego Bay community.

While speaking at the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run Champions of the West ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on Tuesday, Vernon said that after years of limited impact from previous efforts, this new collaborative approach aims to deliver lasting results, with the ministry ensuring due process is followed before the project advances.

The complex in Catherine Hall opened in 2010.

“We have started a process now with the ministry,” Vernon said. “And the ministry is doing what the ministry does — abide by the procedures and ensure that due process is followed. So as soon as we have done that, we’ll move into the next phase, which is to ensure that our athletes in western Jamaica have a home and they have a stage to showcase and develop their talents.

“What we have started in ensuring that the Montego Bay Sports Complex becomes a true multipurpose sports complex will be done.”

Vernon expressed concern that western Jamaica has lost its energy for sports, due to various reasons, including lack of encouragement.

“And that is why I’m happy that the team [Jill Stewart MoBay City Run] has seen it fit to identify young talents here, spotlight them, sponsor them and encourage them to participate and continue to develop even further,” Vernon said.

During her presentation Ashley Anguin, chair of administration for the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run, called for more investment in Montego Bay.

Launched in 2014 by Montego Bay journalist Janet Silvera, the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run is a 10K/5K charity run/walk event in honour of late philanthropist Jill Stewart, and held in Montego Bay. The event has raised more than $34.5 million in scholarships for students and institutions in western Jamaica. Guided by the motto: ‘We Run for Education,’ the event continues to transform lives through access to learning and opportunity.

Ten students from schools across western Jamaica were recognised for their outstanding growth in sports. They are D’Aire Patterson of Herbert Morrison, for basketball; Sanjay Seymore of William Knibb Memorial, for track and field; Carlyle Tinglin of Cornwall College, for football; Damien Daley of Cornwall College, for cricket; Ajani Williams of Irwin High, for track and field; Jade Fearon of Mount Alvernia High, for tennis; Giana Murray of Mount Alvernia High, for track and field; Kayden Brown of William Knibb, for track and field; Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High, for track and field; and Suraj Guwalani of Herbert Morrison, for swimming.

“The essence of the city run was surrounding two social aspects of our society, health and education, and now to see sports being added to it. That’s very commendable,” Vernon said.

VERNON…what we have started in ensuring that the Montego Bay Sports Complex becomes a true multi-purpose sports complex will be done