'We're on track!' - MoBay Sports Complex, Stadium East surfaces set for 2019 upgrades

The athletics track at the Montego Bay Sports Complex has been in deplorable condition and will not host any track meets for the 2019 athletic calendar, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, Dr Warren Blake, has confirmed. But western Jamaica will not have to wait long to enjoy top-class athletics again as there are plans to refurbish the track in 2019.

Bad condition

"The track is worse than what the one at G.C. Foster College was (before it was refurbished)," Blake said.

General manager of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) Denzil Wilks said an estimated cost for the refurbishing of the track has been included in the SDF 2019 budget.

"It is the intention of the Government to have the track repaired. In terms of our budget we have included an estimated number to address this particular challenge," Wilks said.

When asked to state the estimated cost is, Wilks declined to give a figure.

"I wouldn't want to reveal what the estimate is because we are in the midst of the budget process now and there is no approval yet," he said.

"In order to know what needs to be done and the precise cost though, one would have to take off the covering of the track and examine the base."

Manager of Independence Park Limited, Major Desmon Brown, told The Gleaner that he has received instructions from the Government to get quotations.

" After we get the quotations, then we make a selection and then get the funding," Brown explained.

The track at the Montego Bay Sports Complex was installed back in 2001.

Meanwhile, the repair of the Stadium East track will commence on January 7 and is expected to be completed by the middle of February.