About Us

About Our Organization

Independence Park Limited has the responsibility of carrying on the operations, promotions and management of the premier government-owned sporting and recreational facilities. IPL makes it their mission to maintain the facilities under their control as viable entities ensuring that they retain their “world-class” status and are available to the people of Jamaica. In order to guarantee proper management and upkeep of the facilities, IPL is required by the GOJ to ensure that the facilities generate sufficient revenue.

Mission

The mission of IPL is to manage Independence Park Ltd. as a viable entity ensuring that the facilities are maintained at “world-class” standards and available for use by the people of Jamaica.

Vision

Independence Park Ltd. strives to ensure the continued availability of “world-class” facilities to the people of Jamaica, in particular for top class local and international events.

History of the Compound

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The facilities at Independence Park include the National Stadium which was the first stadium built in an English-speaking Caribbean country. The facilities completed in 1962 included the National Stadium and the swimming pools. The National Arena and the outdoor netball & basketball courts were added in 1966, the upgraded stadium East facility in 2002 and the National Indoor Sports Centre in 2003. Some of the major and historic events that have taken place at Independence Park Facilities include:

• Commonwealth Lightweight Boxing Championships in 1962 held in the National Stadium

• Boys Championships, now called the Boys and Girls Championships since its merger in 1999 was first held at the National Stadium in 1963 and has been held at the National Stadium since.

• British Empire & Commonwealth Games in 1966 held in the National Stadium

• The World Netball Tournament in 1971 held in the National Indoor Sports Centre

• World Heavy Weight Boxing Championships in 1973 held in the National Stadium

• Gibson Relays first held in 1973 and held in the National Stadium ever since.

• International Freedom Games in 1975 held in the National Stadium

• Carifesta in 1976 held at the National Stadium held in both the National Arena and the National Stadium

• Bob Marley’s One Love Peace Concert in 1978 held in the National Stadium

• Pan American Junior Athletics Championships in 1991 held in the National Stadium

• World Junior Championships in 2002 held in the National Stadium

• World Netball Championships in 2003 held in the National Indoor Sports Centre

• Buju Banton’s Long Walk to Freedom Concert in 2019 held in the Nation Stadium

We cater to events of every kind

Independence Park Ltd’s facilities are used to host a wide variety of events such as parties, sporting events, concerts, festivals, church services and so much more. Over the years IPL has hosted events such as Grand Gala, Jamaica Music Festival, ISSA Boys & Girls Championships, Buju Banton’s ‘Long Walk to Freedom’ and the list goes on.