
Tags: Major Desmon Brown, Johnathan Seebacher, National Stadium Redevelopment
The planned redevelopment of Jamaica’s National Stadium is not only aimed at modernizing the facility to meet international standards but also positioning it as a self-sustaining, multipurpose venue capable of hosting both sporting and non-sporting events throughout the year.
Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport on Wednesday, Jonathan Seebacher of Ryder Architecture revealed that the new stadium design will incorporate renewable energy technologies with a focus on solar power. The design team is working closely with engineers at Buro Happold in the UK to calculate the potential solar output, with panels expected to be integrated into the new roof structure.
“Obviously, you don’t have a roof at the moment,” Seebacher noted, “so putting one in place provides a natural location for the solar panels. Solar is an obvious option given the climate, but we’re exploring a range of other renewable energy possibilities as well.”
Seebacher also addressed the decision to provide 90 per cent roof coverage for spectators rather than a fully enclosed stadium. He explained that heritage restrictions tied to the existing main stand, which is protected, prevent a full roof extension over that area. “That’s probably the 10 per cent that will remain uncovered,” he said, estimating that around 3,000 spectators may be exposed to the elements during events.
As part of the facility’s modernisation, world-class media infrastructure will be installed—something long overdue according to local journalists. Seebacher said the media centre would be fully Wi-Fi enabled with plug-and-play access, allowing for seamless coverage of events.
Major Desmon Brown, General Manager of Independence Park Limited, added that the redeveloped stadium will feature a dedicated media tribune, pre-wired infrastructure for cameras and equipment, and a properly constructed mixed zone for post-event athlete interviews. “We’re eliminating the current patchwork approach where every broadcaster pulls their own wires,” Brown said. “Media run things, so we have to make sure the facilities are in place to support them properly.”
But the vision for the revamped stadium extends beyond track and field or football. Brown emphasised that in addition to attracting international sports events such as Grand Prix meets and World Relays, the facility is also being designed to accommodate concerts and corporate functions without damaging the playing surface. Plans include the creation of a permanent stage area off the field to allow quick transitions between events.
“I want to be able to have a concert on Friday night and a football match on Sunday morning,” Brown said. “We have to maximise the stadium’s use. It can’t just operate on weekends anymore. We’re also looking at commercial possibilities during the week, like renting out suites for business meetings. All of that is being factored into the design.”
The redevelopment is expected to begin in 2026 and span three years. Despite the construction timeline, Minister Olivia Grange has assured the public that the stadium will remain open for business throughout the process.