Russell calls for multi-use indoor arena after Hurricane Melissa ravages MoBay Sports Complex
Published:Saturday | December 20, 2025 | 12:07 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Reacting to the devastation caused to the Montego Bay Sports Complex by Hurricane Melissa, Jason Russell, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI), is calling for the creation of a modern, multi-use structure capable of serving both economic and emergency needs.
According to Russell, the time is ripe for the city to move beyond single-purpose facilities and embrace resilient structures that can pivot quickly in times of crisis.
“Montego Bay needs an indoor arena for sporting events and indoor concerts,” said Russell, pointing out that such a facility could also be rapidly mobilised during emergencies to serve as a shelter, relief distribution hub, or coordination centre.
The Montego Bay Sports Complex, the western region’s premier sporting facility, was severely damaged by Hurricane Melissa, which flooded the facility, leaving the playing surface in an unusable state and supporting infrastructure with extensive water and wind damage.
In the immediate post-hurricane period, the loss of the complex underscored a major gap in Montego Bay’s disaster-response architecture. With schools damaged, community centres overwhelmed, and open spaces exposed to the elements, authorities and volunteers were forced to improvise relief operations across multiple, often unsuitable locations.
Russell believes a purpose-built indoor arena, designed to withstand extreme weather, would not only strengthen disaster preparedness but drive economic activity year-round.
SECURED FACILITY
“An indoor facility is not just about entertainment. It’s about resilience. It’s about having a secure, covered space that can host major events in normal times and pivot seamlessly to support national and local emergency response when disaster strikes,” he said.
Russell further noted that cities across the region and internationally have adopted similar models, where arenas and convention centres double as emergency shelters, medical staging areas, and logistics hubs during hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Beyond emergency use, Russell said such an arena would significantly expand Montego Bay’s capacity to host regional sporting tournaments, concerts, conferences, and cultural events, activities that generate jobs, boost small businesses, and deepen the city’s tourism offering.
As recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Melissa, Russell believes the conversation must shift from repair to reimagining.
“We can’t keep rebuilding the same way and expect different results. Melissa showed us our vulnerabilities. Now is the time to invest in infrastructure that protects lives, supports business continuity, and positions Montego Bay for sustainable growth,” he said.
With climate-related disasters becoming more frequent and intense, stakeholders say the fate of the Montego Bay Sports Complex should serve as a cautionary tale and a catalyst for building smarter, stronger, and more versatile public infrastructure in western Jamaica.
The Montego Bay Sports Complex, popularly known as the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, was the official home of Montego Bay United Football Club (MBU). It is capable of seating 7,000 spectators, and has hosted National Premier League and international football matches.
Given the level of devastation from the hurricane, MBU has temporarily moved to Jarrett Park for its official home. They will play their first game there on Sunday, December 21.