Opposition Leader Kim Swan is asking Government to come clean on its plans for removing rubble from the old Club Med hotel after it is imploded this summer.

He insisted that area residents are still questioning the logistics of the impending demolition, with concerns that the debris might be motored through the town of St. George's, a World Heritage Site.

The St. George's MP argued a better solution would be to use the rubble to enhance neighbouring St. George's Golf Course, thus removing any possibility that vibrations from heavy machinery trucking the waste might damage historical buildings in the Old Town.

A former European Tour golf professional and once general manager of the St. George's Golf Club, Mr. Swan argued he is well placed to pinpoint those amenities the course is lacking.

"I haven't heard what the plan is to transport rubble from the implosion of Club Med but I know one of the concerns is about the movement through the town," he said. "In the absence of knowing what's planned for the new course it's hard to see how it could benefit, but I am aware of some of the problems with the existing course that could be overcome.

"There are a number of ways which, in conjunction with the golf course redevelopment, or the golf course that exists now, could be used to make the public roads and neighbouring houses safer. Then, it wouldn't have to be transported out of St. George's. There are concerns that vibrations from big trucks passing ancient buildings might disturb them."

Works & Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess confirmed the former hotel was to be imploded after the Mid-Ocean News detailed residents' concerns about the rumoured event.

The demolition will pave the way for the property's December redevelopment by Bazarian International into a multi-million-dollar Park Hyatt hotel, residence complex and golf course.

Mr. Burgess held a press conference last month, assuring residents there was no need for alarm.

"We wish to dispel the reported concerns of East End residents with respect to the planned implosion of the building," he said, explaining that public consultation nearer the implosion date would detail personal safety and property protection measures.

"Protection of homes, other buildings and fortifications is a major priority for the very experienced US-based demolition company whose representatives, along with representatives of the Ministry, will visit each household in the Club Med area before implosion occurs."

The Minister added that local contractors would remove all debris and rubble from the site as soon as it was safe to do so.

Yesterday, Mr. Swan maintained the rubble should remain in the area, insisting it could be used to enhance the current course or in its redesign, should that come to fruition.

"If the golf course is to remain as it is, we could use the rubble almost immediately by taking onboard which holes the rubble could be used to enhance. It could create natural mounds to enhance the holes and create a natural earth barrier between the adjacent roads, which would make neighbouring houses and the roads less vulnerable."

With roads adjacent to the course frequently used by travellers to Fort St. Catherine, to Tobacco Bay and other area attractions, Mr. Swan said it is particularly important that they are made as safe as possible from flying golf balls. He admitted passers-by are alerted to the possibility by signage, but insisted the warning "is only a disclaimer. It doesn't protect you. By using the rubble as a natural earth mound ¿ that provides greenery and foliage.

"It's a good thing environmentally and it provides tangible protection from a danger they might not be aware of and would need to be. It's a safety net. If the golf course didn't have the potential of being redesigned, it would be the ultimate solution. It could be done right away".

A landscape architect could easily work the rubble into improvements to the old course or its redesign, the MP stated. "There is a plan to reshape the golf course, which at this time no one seems to know when will take place, if it will take place.

"I am optimistic that the (new) hotel will come to fruition but we want to think ahead to the implosion and tackle the potential problem with some concrete solution. (Having been) a professional golfer and general manager of the St. George's Golf Club, I've been in a role where I've had to consider things already related to the course and I can see how rubble can be used to enhance the current course that exists.

"Once we have sight of what the new plans (for the course) will be, we can take onboard where the rubble could be best used, at which stage it would be required in its reconstruction and how much they would need in the reshaping.

"Now is the time to address this given the implosion date is coming soon. We don't want to have all this rubble and not know what to do to get rid of it. Addressing the issue could alleviate major concerns."

Mr. Swan said he had discussed the issues with Government officials who informed him moving forward with his suggestions would be contingent on a "buy-in at higher levels".

"We need to think ahead," he insisted.