MOU signed for development of Montego Bay Sports Complex
ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited and the St James Municipal Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday for the lease of the Montego Bay Sports Complex to the company for 25 years.
The signing ceremony was held at the offices of the St James Municipal Corporation.
Declaring that “the work is just about to start now,” Johann ‘Yoni’ Epstein, chairman of the Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited, the umbrella company under which Premier League club Montego Bay United operates, said plans to expand the facility that was a gift to the city from Venezuela under the PetroCaribe Agreement, can commence.
Johan Epstein (second left) chairman of the Montego Bay Multi sports Development Limited and Mayor of Montego Bay Councilor Richard Vernon (third left) show off the signed Memorandum of Understanding for the lease of the Montego Bay Sports Complex that was done at the St James Municipal Council on Tuesday. Also in the picture are at left Dr Germaine Spencer president of Montego Bay United and at right CEO of the St James Municipal Council Naudia Crosskill, both signees as well.
(Photo: Paul Reid)
Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited was the sole bidder when the bidding for the development of the facility closed in November 2024.
The company had submitted a bid worth around $700million.
Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon who signed the agreement along with Chief Executive Officer Naudia Crosskill on behalf of the corporation, described the signing as “transformational…and historic” not just for Montego Bay, but for the entire western Jamaica.
Under the MOU, plans are for the refurbishing of the facility that was badly damaged by hurricane Melissa on October 28, which will see football returning later this year, in time for the start of the 2026-27 football season; the refurbishing of the all- weather 400m running track within two years; construction of an olympic size swimming pool, as well as the construction of courts for racquet sports and small sized football fields to accommodate futsal and scrimmage football.
