MONTEGO BAY, St James — Upon projected completion in October, the Montego Bay Sports Complex will have “state-of-the-art LED sports-lighting system” which is engineered to meet Concacaf’s “illumination requirements for competition and broadcast from the moment it is switched on”, according to a release from Montego Bay United Football Club.

The venue, situated in Catherine Hall, St James, was extensively damaged during last October’s passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. The complex is in the early stages of a multi-million dollar refurbishing project, and will not be ready to host Jamaica Premier League football matches when the competition kicks off in late August.

The release said the lighting installation will be done by “global sports-lighting leader” Musco Lighting partner. It said that when the first phase of the multi-year refurbishing is completed, the stadium is set to become the only Concacaf-approved venue outside of Kingston. It added that the upgrade will open the western end of the island to “top-tier regional and international football” and establish Montego Bay as “a genuine second home for the professional game in Jamaica”.

Yoni Epstein, chairman of Montego Bay United and the Montego Bay Multi-Sports Development Limited (MBMDL) — the umbrella company that is undertaking the refurbishing after acquiring a 25-year lease of the complex from the St James Municipal Corporation, said the lighting will be a game-changer.

“We are proud to partner with a manufacturer of Musco’s calibre — the name behind the lights at so many of the world’s great professional stadiums.

“When these lights come on, Montego Bay will offer a stage that meets the game’s highest standards, and our region will finally have a venue worthy of the football and the fans it has always produced. We can’t wait to play at home again under the lights,” Epstein said in the release.

The release said Musco Lighting, which was founded in 1976 is recognised as the world leader in sports and large-area lighting, with more than five decades of engineering behind its systems. Its technology lights many of the most iconic venues in world sport, and Musco was named the broadcast lighting provider for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Jeff Rogers, Musco Lighting CEO, said: “We are proud to bring our technology to Montego Bay. Delivering a professional, broadcast-grade venue outside the capital matters — not only for this club and this city, but for the growth of the game across the Caribbean. Our commitment is the same here as it is at the world’s largest stadiums: controlled, consistent light that lets players perform, looks exceptional on camera, and respects the community and the night sky around it.”

Meanwhile, Epstein confirmed that the football club will host games at Jarrett Park until the Montego Bay Sports Complex is ready in October.

“We will start the 2026-27 season at Jarrett Park; the first four or so home games will be played there before we make a long-awaited return to Catherine Hall,” Epstein told the Jamaica Observer.

During a recent update, MBMDL had unveiled an ambitious plan that will see the expansion of the complex from a football and track and field venue to one that includes courts for racquet sports, surfaces for small-field football, Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gym, and recovery areas for athletes.

Epstein said, “This project will be like no other in Jamaica. For Montego Bay United, it means coming home: Our players and our supporters will once again take to their home stadium, now under professional, broadcast-standard lights worthy of the club and the city.”

— Paul A Reid