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Finance, fans force early Arnett ‘home’ return - JPL team to mark occasion with entertainment, monster clash against MoBay United
December 15, 2025
Arnett Gardens Football Club will turn out at their Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex for the first time this season in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), when they take on former league leaders Montego Bay United and former coach Xavier Gilbert in a monster clash this evening at 7:30.
However, the club's general manager, Peter Thelwell, noted that the refurbishing project at the complex is incomplete, and that the need to return earlier than scheduled was necessary.
"We only returned ahead of schedule because we can't wait any longer to get to host a home game. We need people coming through the turnstiles, we need some gate receipts and maybe some venue rentals," he said.
"We have really forgone a lot of income over the period. We have been out since the start of the season and we are now in match week 12 and about half of that would have been home games that we didn't actually have."
Thelwell also noted that the fans in the community have been growing increasingly frustrated at not having home games.
"We will now have our fans' support behind the team. They are eager to watch some football because they haven't had any football for a while in the community. Also the vendors get a chance to earn at the matches again," he said.
In terms of venue upgrades, Thelwell says they have some way to go.
"Basically we are about halfway complete," he declared. "The solar panels are up, so the canopy is completed.
"We are still waiting to complete the project with the batteries and the inverters and the final painting and branding of the facility," he noted.
Thelwell also pointed out that the field was redone and is in pristine condition. They have also added extra lights to the canopy covering the VIP area, because it cast a shadow on the playing field.
"There was a little shaded area. So we will have more lights on the field," he stated
"The field has also been moved back, so the half line is now perfectly aligned with the walkout tunnel.
"So everything is aligned and everyone should have a good experience," he commented.
He added that today's reopening will be marked by performances from entertainer 'General B' and selectors 'Boom Boom' and 'Natural Love' at halftime, courtesy of One Umbrella Sports. There will also be special appearances from 'Tiger the Mascot' and the One Umbrella marching band.
Thelwell said that the renovation project is expected to be fully complete by the end of January.
