ST JAMES, Jamaica — Jarrett Park will be ready for the return of Premier League football on Sunday, says Montego Bay United Chairman Yoni Epstein.

The St James-based club is to host Waterhouse FC at Jarrett Park in the 13th-round game and is set to use the facility for home games for the foreseeable future, at least until Montego Bay Sports Complex is refurbished.

The sports complex was extensively damaged during the passage of Hurricane Melissa in late October. The flooding of the Catherine Hall area, where the complex is based, damaged infrastructure and left inches of clay soil on the entire playing surface as well as the surrounding 400m running track.

While Jarrett Park was also badly damaged, the playing field escaped the worst, though there is work to be done to get it ready for the contest on Sunday.

“It will be ready for Sunday. It won’t be perfect, but it will be ready,” Epstein told the Jamaica Observer.

Work was being carried out at Jarrett Park when the Observer visited the venue on Wednesday, though there were still reminders of the damage done by the hurricane.

One of four floodlight towers had fallen over and part of the wall at the southern end, adjoining the Montego Bay Cricket Club, had collapsed.

There were piles of debris from the storm that were being trucked away, while there were two water trucks, including a Jamaica Fire Brigade vehicle, washing the main stand.

In a press release from the club in late November, Epstein had said Premier League football was returning to its “home”.

The release stated: “The city has gone through a challenging period, but our community has shown tremendous strength. Bringing competitive football back to Jarrett Park is another strong step in rebuilding, uplifting, and moving forward together.

“The decision to return to Jarrett Park was made in partnership with local authorities, community stakeholders, and supporters who have continuously advocated for football to return to its rightful home. Final preparations are underway to ensure a safe, vibrant, and electric match-day environment for fans, players, and families.”

Jarrett Park, a gift to the city of Montego Bay by the Kerr-Jarrett family was a major sporting facility that has hosted local, national, and international sporting competitions.

The facility has hosted international cricket competitions, including Shell Shield and Geddes-Grant Harrison Line cricket competition that featured regional national teams in the 1970s and 80s; international football competitions, including Caribbean Football Union games as well as Concacaf Under-17 boys play-offs.

It was the home of St James’ three National Premier League champions — Violet Kickers, Seba United, and Wadadah — as well as the home of ISSA daCosta Cup football where finals of the daCosta Cup, Ben Francis Cup, and Olivier Shield were played for decades.

— Paul A Reid

EPSTEIN… it won’t be perfect, but it will be ready (Photo: Observer file)