It's a different minister but the same bottom line when it comes to the National Sports Centre (NSC) ? sports organisations must pay to use it.

Stating his views on controversial matters regarding the Frog Lane complex for the first time since becoming Sports Minister, Dale Butler yesterday stressed that those who rent the facility cannot expect a free ride.

However, Government may ? on a case by case basis ? be sympathetic depending on the particular circumstances.

"We have bills. The trustees have bills. It's not a free society. We believe they (the trustees) have come up with a fairly reasonable amount to charge for the stadium but we're not deaf.

"We will constantly listen to the sporting organisations and then we have to determine whether it is practical and feasible to reduce the costs.

"Sooner or later the cost is passed on to someone. Either the taxpayer will pay at the beginning or at the end.

"Cost is an issue no matter where we go. Someone has to pay for the grounds. Someone has to pay for the management. Someone has to pay for the future development of that stadium.

"We would be irresponsible if we just threw open the gates. The place would be in a shambles and we would pay ten times more in the end," the minister told a Press conference.

Butler acknowledged continuing differences of opinion between the ministry and sporting organisations, especially the Bermuda Football Association (BFA), over NSC expenses and stipulations regarding the stadium's training policy.

"We've had very meaningful discussions with the BFA. I'm not saying they are happy, and I'm not happy, but I'm not saying we've locked horns.

"They are throwing out alternatives and so are we. It remains an issue. The training schedule has even been brought into question by the BFA and we have agreed to examine it."

On the BFA's contention that it should not pay to host international matches at the venue, he felt strongly that they should.

"The payment of fees for international matches I thought was resolved but they have a different position on that so we have agreed to look at that again.

"It seems to me that, as a responsible national sporting body in Bermuda, they would want to pay for the use of those premium facilities. They have a different concept which I think revolves around football ? like cricket ? being a clearly-identified 'national sport' (and) what does that mean?

"Well I had to inform them straight-up, it's pure symbolism until such time as we write a definitive statement ? which more than likely would just say that from time to time those sports may receive some additional benefits.

"It's just pure symbolism. The same way a country has a national flower and a national flag."

Asked if the complaint of there being varying conditions under which different sports bodies utilised the stadium would be resolved, Butler replied: "Impossible. When you go to the doctor there's isn't one treatment for everybody. There are different treatments. Those organisations that have come in with complaints we have listened to and we may modify or we may leave things as they are. It's under review."

He also revealed that, far from what sports groups are lobbying for, fees could rise "in light of increasing costs".

"That's always a possibility," he declared.

Butler also indicated that organisations renting the complex would no longer have control of the concession stand as new high-tech equipment was being installed and needed to be operated by professionals. The booth will now be tendered out.

Apologising for the delay in completing the remainder of the NSC, Butler reiterated that "Government does not have a lot of money" and therefore the project "had drifted along for quite a while".

However, it is now "a priority" and once the current phase ? the cricket pavilion and the hockey astroturf ? are completed Government, he said, would outline how it planned to finance the stadium's other components via its own funds and with private-sector contributions.