ST JAMES, Jamaica—The St James Municipal Corporation on Wednesday donated $20 million to the Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited towards the “cleaning up” phase of the rehabilitation of the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, announced the contribution at a ceremony held at the complex on Wednesday to unveil plans for the development of the facility, along with the refurbishing following severe damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa in October.

Johann ‘Yoni’ Epstein, chairman of the Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited and chairman of Montego Bay United, said the football field, which was badly damaged by flood waters associated with the weather system, will be ready for the start of the 2026-27 football season.

He said that plans to build out the complex to include additional football fields, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, futsal fields, racquet sports, dormitories and a gym were also included in the plan.

The Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited and the St James Municipal Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February, agreeing to lease the Montego Bay Sports Complex for 25 years.

The Montego Bay Multi Sports Development Limited had made a bid to lease the complex in November 2024 and had submitted a bid worth around $700 million.

-Paul A Reid