By Monique Hepburn, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) will inspect the newly-installed floodlights at Jarrett Park today.
"The inspection will take place at 6 o'clock on Tuesday evening," Joan Spence, the JFF's assistant Director of Competitions, told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday.
If approved, the facility will once again be able to host night football matches.
The lights were acquired and installed by the Jarrett Park Management Committee (JPMC) at a cost of $1.55 million and was turned on last night prior to the JFF inspectors' visit.
Adrian Grant, Chairman of the JPMC, told The Gleaner that the lighting process was delayed.
"The installation of the lights was hampered by the fact that we had to rehabilitate some poles. We were also delayed five weeks by the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) who had to install a transformer."
With the prospect of night matches more realistic, Grant says that by the end of the month one could be organised.
"I have been in dialogue with Mr George Evans, the president of the St James Football Association and first vice president of the JFF and we expect to host a match (night) by the end of this month pending inspection and approval. We want to let people know that we are back," Grant said.
He added that they are also hoping to host the national senior team, the Reggae Boyz, in a match against a western team, but was awaiting information on the JFF schedule.
When contacted by The Gleaner, Evans confirmed that he is indeed awaiting the approval of the JFF before setting a definite date for the first night match.
"Once the lights have been approved, we will then have the clearance to act. Until then we cannot announce the date of the proposed match," he said.
As part of the committee's long-range plans for Jarrett Park, a feasibility study is being carried out to address seating at the venue. Currently, the Park has a capacity to seat approximately 6,000 patrons. The committee is exploring plans to provide a total of 20,000 seats.
