The strip of land between the track and field stadium and the cricket field at the National Centre in Prospect is likely to be the place for Government's plans to build a facility big enough to host conventions.

Called the "centre core", the area will be able to hold trade shows, conventions and concerts ? in addition to a gymnasium, reception centre, Olympic-sized swimming pool, fitness centre, refreshment stands and offices.

Plans to include a convention centre of sorts were envisioned at the complex since at least 1996 - however the actual construction of the centre was deferred in favour of the completion of the western stands when the PLP came to power in 1998.

In recent weeks, both Premier Alex Scott and Deputy Premier/Tourism and Transport Minister Ewart Brown have referred to the building of a "brand new convention centre" at the National Sports complex at Prospect in recent weeks.

The actual plans they refer to, however, are nothing new, National Centre Board of Trustees chairperson Gerard Bean told yesterday.

Now, however, it appears the plans will go ahead, though Dr. Bean was unable to give a timeline or cost estimate. "We are putting the pieces in place," he said.

The Board has met with Dr. Brown and both he and Community, Cultural Affairs and Sports Minister Dale Butler have "recognised the value of the centre core", Dr. Bean said.

When the complex was first designed, Dr. Bean said, it was called the National Sports Centre. However years ago the Board changed the name to the National Centre as they recognised sports activities would only be taking place there about 25-40 percent of the time.

The largest event held at the National Centre so far was the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir concert held in September 2004, which had an attendance of 8,000.

With the seating in the centre core, Dr. Bean said: "We could fill every hotel bed on the Island. The present Tourism Minister is responding most positively to the plans for the facility."

Premier Scott has touted the centre as an ideal place for potentially hosting United Nations delegations should the Island go Independent, while mass events and sports tourism are high on the Department of Tourism's list of priorities for 2005.