(BUEI) have surged to $18 million.

But BUEI chiefs didn't bat an eyelash in comparing the real cost with the initial $10-million scheme. The concept has evolved into a much more sophisticated project than originally envisaged some six years ago.

BUEI chairman David Lines said, "We've almost doubled the size of the institute or at least increased it by 70 percent from what it was originally supposed to be. That's why the cost has increased. We are very pleased with what we have. We believe the BUEI will be one of the most architecturally attractive buildings in the Island.

"This is a unique facility, and rightly located in Bermuda because this community has been at the forefront of ocean research, and we still are. The Bermuda Biological Station for Research is represented on our board, as is the Aquarium. We have a close relationship with them.'' But perhaps almost as amazing as the three-level facility is touted to be is the staggering level of international donations that have made it possible.

When Fidelity International chairman Ned Johnson threw out a challenge, and $5 million for this project, he had a reasonable stipulation; The BUEI should be financially self-sufficient. And coordinators sought to match the donation through local fund-raising.

That fund is just $2 million of the new target of $18 million, thanks to local and international support. Fund-raising is expected to continue for another year.

Said BUEI vice-chairman J.R.H. (Jack) Lightbourn: "Because one of the conditions was that it had to be able to support itself, some of the things we have here you may not find in a normal museum or an institute of this nature.

"We do not anticipate having annual drives for money to meet operating expenses. We may do that to fund an additional special exhibit. But the Institute has to pay for itself.'' Officials, who initially were planning to open this month, previously re-scheduled for a May opening, but are now hopeful that the grand design will be unveiled by early summer. Delays include continuing construction of some of the elaborate exhibits.

Mr. Lightbourn said, "We are aiming for an opening in July. We have exceeded the budget, but there have been a lot of changes since the start, and changes tend to be expensive.

"The standard of the workmanship is first class. It's going to be a very exciting building when it's finished, and an architectural masterpiece.'' Sjur Linberg, partner at chartered architects, Barker & Linberg, said, "This is a very special project, involving a facility of international quality, showcasing underwater exploration, something which Bermuda really has a proud history in. The greatest scientists in their field are advisors.

"Architecturally, it was a great challenge, because the programme requirements for this place were quite different from anything we have ever been involved in.

"It is a highly complex building because of the highly technical nature of the exhibits. It's also a very constricted space, a small site, on which we had to meet a programme for all the things that the Institute had to contain.

It was an intricate exercise.'' Barker & Linberg worked on the project with assistance from architects brought in by Fidelity International, together with international engineers and other international consultants.

Friday's traditional roof wetting ceremony was particularly gratifying for the approximately 100 people involved in the building. You had to close your eyes to the dusty construction site and really believe you could envisage a finished product of impressive design. The facility includes gardens, a terrace and a dock, allowing for visitors by sea. Many may also use the dock space when arriving for lunch or dinner at the new French restaurant, to be operated by MEF Enterprises with seating for about 160.

"The restaurant will be a year-round operation,'' said MEF director and general manager, Gioacchino Di Meglio. "We will be able to seat 90 people outside under a tent and an additional capacity of about 70 indoors. We anticipate a number of functions, including cocktail parties. There are a number of areas here where functions can be held, including the lobby, the mezzanine board rooms.'' Mr. Lines said of the BUEI building, "This will not just be used for exhibits. It will also be helpful to tourism for another reason. Meeting planners are very excited about using this site to meet. We have large public rooms and an auditorium that can seat 148 people.

"And the restaurant can cater any of the rooms. So meeting planners are delighted because this is the first building of this type. It will add to our visitors' experience.'' Mr. Lightbourn said, "There are a number of rooms that will be very useful for having meetings. We think the exempt companies here will welcome this type of facility for annual or quarterly meetings.'' The additional features will be useful for revenue. Adults, it is anticipated, will pay an entrance fee of $9.50, with children paying less and infants probably free. The target figure for paid admission is 120,000 people a year.

The BUEI will hope to draw revenue from the restaurant and the rental of the various meeting rooms. The Institute will also have a gift shop downstairs for additional income.

Volunteers will help contain costs. Excess revenue will fund planned research projects.

The BUEI will complement the Aquarium, Biological Station and Maritime Museum.

Unlike the Aquarium, which focuses on shallow regions of the ocean, the BUEI keys in on exploration of the deep, from 1,000 to 12,500 feet down.

The Maritime Museum is about encyclopaedic research and interpretation of man's interaction with the sea surrounding Bermuda. The BUEI concentrates on the history of ships' interaction with our reefs.

Significant Bermuda wrecks will be used to show visitors how marine salvage and archaeology have evolved.

At 40,000 square feet, the BUEI could become the Island's largest cultural attraction, with 18,000 square feet of exhibit space. It has drawn huge international interest from people like Peter Benchley, the author of "The Deep'', "Beast'' and "Jaws''.

Some of the latest technology in simulation and viewer interaction will take visitors on tours of local reefs, shipwrecks and into the deep sea.

The technology includes a thrilling elevator ride -- during an eight-minute adventure, BUEI visitors will simulate a 12,000-foot descent to the bottom of the Bermuda sea mount with high definition video, special effects, lighting and audiovisual presentations giving the effect of a continuous journey.

Installed by Bermuda Elevator Systems, Ltd., there is nothing similar anywhere. Four large motors mounted beneath the elevator floor, propel a "dive capsule'' up and down a 15 foot shaft, as a maximum of 20 passengers obtain the effect of a deep sea dive.

Separate visual, audio and ride systems are synchronised by a laptop computer and all the safety systems associated with standard elevators are incorporated. The equipment for the ride is from Gothenburg, Sweden.

David Lines BUSINESS BUC