Arnett return to the ‘Jungle’ tonight

Arnett Gardens FC will turn out at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex for the first time this season in the Jamaica Premier League when they take on Montego Bay United and former coach Xavier Gilbert in a monster clash this evening at 7:30 p.m..

The refurbishing work at the complex is still incomplete but the club’s general manager, Peter Thelwell, said they were returning home ahead of schedule, mainly because the club has started to feel the financial pinch of not playing at home.

“We can’t wait any longer get to host a home game. We need people coming through the turnstile. We need some gate receipts and maybe some venue rentals,” Thelwell 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.”

He noted also that the fans in the community had grown increasingly frustrated at the team’s absence.

“We will now have our fans’ support. They are eager to watch some football, because they haven’t had any football for a while in the community. Also, the vendors will get a chance to earn at the matches again,” he said.

Turning to the refurbishing, Thelwell said: “Basically, we are about halfway complete. 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 pointed out also 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 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 the occasion will be marked by performances from entertainer General B and selectors ‘Boom Boom’ and ‘Natural Love’, at half-time, courtesy of One Umbrella Sports.

There will be special appearances from Tiger the Mascot and One Umbrella Marching Band.

Thelwell said that the renovation project is expected to be fully completed by the end of January.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com