DownSound Entertainment (DSE) Ltd is promising, among other things, “state-of-the-art” amenities at Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, should it be successful in its bid to secure a long-term concession to operate the venue.
DownSound, in a news release, said that it had already applied to the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) , owners of the St James property that has been the home of Jamaica's number one music festival, Reggae Sumfest, to run the event there for several more years than the four it has gone so far.
However, DownSound said that the current configuration of the venue was not maximising its revenue generation potential, and in response to a request from the UDC, it had documented proposals to the State agency, which, if accepted, would redound to the benefit of Jamaica as a whole, as the new Catherine Hall amenities would serve as “critical generators of tourism and entertainment-related revenues”.
DownSound announced recently that it would cancel this year's staging of Reggae Sumfest due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has not only affected daily life in Jamaica, but had caused severe dislocation in global economies.
Considerable expansion of the venue will be required if it is to remain the home of Reggae Sumfest and the venue for other major festivals.
