General Manager for Independence Park Limited (IPL), Major Desmon Brown. (Photo: JIS)
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The iconic National Stadium is on the verge of a significant upgrade, with the lighting infrastructure set to receive a multi-million dollar facelift aimed at meeting global standards. According to General Manager for Independence Park Limited (IPL), Major Desmon Brown, the overall renovation of the stadium’s lights is estimated to exceed a whopping US$4 million.
The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service recently allocated JA$75 million for immediate remedial work to address the stadium’s lighting issues, ensuring it remains ready for upcoming international events. Notably, Major Brown emphasized that these interim fixes are intended to prepare the stadium for the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Nations League match between Jamaica and Cuba on Friday, September 6th.
Ongoing Rehabilitation Efforts
Under Major Brown’s guidance, rehabilitation efforts include the frequent installation of additional LED lamps to meet FIFA’s stringent lighting requirements. “We have installed some lamps and we are about to install some more, because the old lamps continue to blow; so, if a couple bulbs blow, we will fall below,” Major Brown explained.
The funding provided by the Ministry will supplement the current lighting system by updating some of the bulbs as well as necessary wiring and transformers. “The stadium’s lights, which were installed in the 1990s, have been operational for over 25 years and are no longer in production,” noted Major Brown. “What has been happening is that they are failing, and we cannot replace them,” he added, underlining the urgency for a complete overhaul.
Future Redevelopment
Looking forward, once the redevelopment budget is approved, a comprehensive repair of the entire lighting system will commence. In an efficient use of resources, Major Brown revealed that the new lights purchased would allow the current lights to be repurposed for other areas within the stadium complex, such as Stadium East and the swimming pool.
Further emphasizing the government’s commitment, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange highlighted in her contribution to the 2024/25 Sectoral Debate that the redevelopment project would be facilitated under a signed Framework for Cooperation between the Governments of Jamaica and the United Kingdom.
IPL’s Broader Responsibilities
The IPL, under the management of Major Desmon Brown, also oversees several vital sports facilities within the stadium complex. This includes the National Arena, National Indoor Sports Centre, National Aquatic Centre, and Stadium East, ensuring that each venue receives the attention it needs to support Jamaica’s thriving sports culture.
In summary, the projected lighting upgrade is a promising development for the National Stadium, aiming to bolster its position as a premier location for international sports events. Major Desmon Brown’s continued leadership and the collaboration between Jamaican and UK governments signal a bright future for the iconic venue.
—JIS
