St James PC to run Catherine Hall

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The new J$1.2-billion sports complex at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, is slated to change hands from the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to the St James parish council by February, 2011.

The motion, which was tabled at last Thursday's monthly meeting of the parish council, was approved, paving the way for the change in management from the UDC, which had constructed the facility, to the parish council, which will manage it.

In a letter addressed to Montego Bay Mayor Charles Sinclair, which was read during the council meeting, Joy Douglas, the UDC's general manager, said the transfer came about as a result of a directive from Prime Minister Bruce Golding, under whose portfolio the UDC falls.

"The property known as the Montego Bay Sports Complex, owned by the UDC, is to be transferred, at no cost, to the St James Parish Council upon completion of the works presently being undertaken on the site by the UDC," the letter from Douglas read.

Infrastructural works

Douglas added that, the UDC is completing infrastructure work on the Complex, including installation of lights, relaying the football pitch and practice fields, landscaping and other adjustments required by regulatory bodies such as the Anti-Doping Commission and the Ministry of Health.

"All these works are expected to be completed by the end of February, 2011," Douglas' letter stated. "The corporation will, therefore, make the necessary arrangements to effect the transfer shortly thereafter."

The Montego Bay Sports Complex was established by the UDC at a cost of US$14.9 million and was officially opened on June 5, 2010. It has a seating capacity of 8,000.

The new facility is one of two venues to host next February's CONCACAF Under-17 tournament in western Jamaica.