be used until a $1 million-breakwater is added.

Original plans did not call for the breakwater. Sailors say it is needed to protect the boats that will use the Boaz Island site near Messina House.

But Sports Minister Sen. Pamela Gordon yesterday said Government budget constraints made the structure a lower priority. The sailing centre will now be used by campers.

The centre, which sits on West End Development Corporation property and is leased by Government, was intended to be the focal point of sailing activity in the West End.

Designed with large boat storage areas, classrooms, and showering facilities, Government also hoped to move its summer yachting programme for youngsters from White's Island to the centre which was built from money in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Fund -- a fund which was set up in 1977 with proceeds from public subscriptions to the anniversary pamphlet.

But yesterday Sen. Gordon, who took over the Youth, Sport, and Recreation portfolio last month said: "A reality has hit home''.

She explained that the Bermuda Yachting Association, which operates Government's yachting programme, realised that the area was too exposed.

"They wanted to use the slip that is already up there,'' she said. "But as a result of the slip not being accessible they decided that to safely administer this programme, they will need a breakwater.'' The association estimated that a suitable breakwater for the area would cost at least $1 million, president Mr. James MacDonald said.

Mr. MacDonald explained that a breakwater is needed at the centre to protect the area where boats will be launched and especially for small boats during reasonably breezy weather.

"If the breakwater was large enough, some sailing could be done inside of that,'' he said, adding that breakwater at the centre would need to be "fairly large'' and therefore cost a huge figure.

Members of the association, Wedco, and Government, including Mrs. Gordon met last month to discuss alternative uses for the centre which would include youth activities.

Sen. Gordon said the association proposed that since there were many children out at Darrell's Island the programme could be held there and as it grew and brought in money, the programme could be moved to the national centre.

But she said Government has no intention of moving the activity which has been open to all youngsters at White's Island, along with swimming, for years, unless it can be safely accommodated at the national centre.

Wedco and the association have been given time to work out the logistics and get back to Government, Sen. Gordon said.

But Wedco general manager Mr. Edward Williams said: "We simply lease the area. The national sailing centre was a combination of efforts of the Youth, Sport and Recreation and the BYA''.

"We agreed that it would be a really good spot to have it,'' he said.

"Unfortunately, with the cost of having the breakwater built, it is not feasible.

"It is another fall-out of the budgetary crunch. We are all disappointed. But we understand.'' Mr. Williams, who is an avid sailor, said: "I personally would like to see one day the whole concept revised.

"I would like to think that we will be able to turn this around.''