Montego Bay Sports Complex redevelopment plan unveiled for St. James

Plans have been presented for a major redevelopment of the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Katherine Hall, St. James, with the facility to be rebranded as The Hive and positioned as a multisport centre to support sports tourism in western Jamaica.

The venue, which has traditionally accommodated football and track and field, is slated to be expanded with several new features. The proposed upgrade includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, football and pickleball courts, and a 40-room dormitory. Project backers say the aim is to create an international-standard complex in Jamaica’s main tourism belt.

One speaker at the unveiling said the scale of the planned change was difficult to fully measure at this stage, arguing that western Jamaica has no comparable facility and that Jamaica itself does not currently have anything of the same kind. The speaker also referenced Chamber of Commerce president Jason Russell, saying his research pointed to Bob Marley and Jamaican athletes as major parts of the island’s global appeal.

The track component, however, is not expected immediately. Western-based schools are likely to continue travelling outside the region for meets for at least another year, as officials say that section of the project is more likely to be completed in the latter part of 2027. Planning is under way and pricing work is now being done.

Montego Bay Sports Committee chairman Yonyi Epstein said no final decision has been made on who will install the track. He said discussions are taking place with several possible partners, including some with significant experience working in Jamaica, but the committee wants a contractor who can deliver within the planned budget.

Motor racing driver Doug “Hollywood” Gore is among those welcoming the proposal. He said the development is expected to include a first-class go-kart facility, with one section for family recreation and another for racing karts capable of reaching about 70 miles per hour.

The swimming pool proposal has also been welcomed by Mo Dolphin Aquatics and Blue Marlin. A representative said the clubs were especially pleased by the presentation, while asking for a deeper pool section to support artistic, formerly synchronised, swimming. Another speaker said hosting three swim meets in Montego Bay would help develop the sport, increase school participation and reduce the need for regular travel to Kingston.

The football field is expected to be the first section completed, with late August identified as the earliest target.