drawn one step closer to fruition.

The master plan and scale model for the Bermuda National Centre -- as the project is now officially called -- was on Saturday introduced to delegates at the Ministry of Youth and Sport's annual conference.

A final completion date -- late in 2001 -- was unveiled as were new details of a complex that will envelope the existing National Stadium and feature new pitches for cricket, soccer and hockey, an Olympic-size pool, restaurant, and a triple gymnasium with seating for 3,500 people.

And in the process, chairman of the centre's board of trustees Donald Lines sought to remove taints of controversy that earlier marred the development, both from its $46 million price tag to charges of favouritism in the hiring of stadium landscaper Robert Duffy.

Vowing an "open book'' policy in the centre's phase-by-phase construction, Lines said all purchasing and sub-contracting would be based on competitive tendering that will even include reading each bid aloud.

As well, Lines, who was cleared of any wrongdoing in a Government investigation last November, insisted Bermudians would get "value for their money'' despite claims by Opposition members that the project was out of control.

(It was at last year's sports conference that Lines put a cost of $35 million on the facility.) Even with annual maintenance fees of $2-3 million, including the hiring of several full-time employees, the Bermuda National Centre is expected to be self-supporting within three years. Revenue will be generated from facility users -- both in sports and community events -- and is seen as a boon to health and sports tourism.

"We think what has been developed is something of which Bermuda can be proud,'' said Lines.

Claims of an "All Bermuda design and delivery'' were a bit of a stretch, however, in that a Canadian consulting firm, Johnston Sport Architecture, has been involved with project for nearly two years.

But, said Bob Johnston, former captain of the Canadian national lacrosse team who heads the firm: "We are nothing more than tools of our clients.'' The clients in this case are Island sports groups, who have worked with Lines and the six other trustees since their appointment some four years ago.

Most have come away happy.

Bermuda Cricket Board of Control will finally have a world class pitch, one that is expected to be completed one year from now. Same for hockey -- with their $1.5 artificial turf field -- and netball, with regulation courts just for them.

A walking/cycling track will surround the cricket pitch.

State-of-the art facilities, meeting international standards, are also included for gymnastics, basketball, volleyball and aquatics.

The latter -- including the Island's first 50-metre pool, complete with diving platform and springboard, 25-metre warm-up pool and water slide -- will be the final piece in the project's construction and probably its most expensive at $8 million.

One drawback, however, is that the pool will not be covered.

Soccer benefits with the addition of two pitches, played on the same field as the cricket pitch, but lose out with the axing of a covered grandstand and VIP seating on the west side of National Stadium from earlier concepts.

Tennis even came through with the potential to play indoors, although the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association's Allan Simmons said the organisation must still research the cost-effectiveness of a portable playing surface before determining whether they would make use of the space.

One group not thrilled at being left out is Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

While acknowledging that the current site probably does not have the space for some equestrian events, Judy Baum said the BEF's exclusion further points to the necessity of allowing the controversial Vesey Street expansion to go through.

Car drivers probably won't be all that happy, at least during a major event: There is only parking space allotted for 300 vehicles, although additional space may be available at neighbouring CedarBridge Academy.

Said Lines: "If we did all the things we wanted to do, this thing would never get off the ground ... We've addressed 95 percent of the needs.'' All of the facilities, including fitness centre, meeting rooms and storage areas are accessed by indoor walkways and concourses, and maintain a "uniquely futuristic design in a Bermuda context,'' Lines said.

Work has already begun, with the demolition of old school buildings and cottages and excavation of the northern fields.

"We're moving on it and we're moving now,'' said Lines.

"I can't see anything standing in our way at this point.'' The model of the master plan will eventually be on display at City Hall.

See photo, page 23.