Complex were unveiled late last week.

Yet he remained baffled as to why it had taken so long for the project to get moving.

And, like former Bermuda Track and Field Association president Randy Benjamin who earlier expressed concern over whether the scheme would ever reach completion, the former Government Sports Advisor adopted a `wait-and-see' approach.

"I'm not sure at all...,'' said Smith, the current secretary of Bermuda Golf Association, "but I hope to goodness that it does this time.'' And why not the scepticism? It was in 1972 that a plan was first introduced to develop the Frog Lane area into a sports `mecca' by a committee which included Benjamin. Nothing happened. And on Friday, Smith unearthed a copy of his own 1987 proposal regarding development of the area surrounding the National Stadium to supplement the main stadium, specifically Frog Lane -- one that bore remarkable similarities to those revealed on Thursday by the Donald Lines-led board of trustees.

It, too, now merely collects dust.

"I don't have a problem at all with them trying to develop the area,'' said Smith, whose concern in '87 was that an additional area be set aside for training to avoid overuse of the main pitches. "This was a point discussed and advised 10 years ago by report.

"But it seems as if it's taken an awful long time for people to come around to thinking this way. It's senseless to have a competitive facility without a training facility to go with it.

"The National Stadium should have and the original plans did include those in the first place.'' Smith moved quickly to allay assertions that he might be merely sounding off because his plan had been ignored and the Lines-led consortium were in position to grab the glory.

But he said he was concerned by the time taken from when proposals were first made to final plans ultimately being unveiled.

"I would like the general public to know that people over the years haven't been sitting on their hands and not thinking and making plans for it.

"It was just the doing (construction) part that was lacking.'' Indeed, Smith, who took over the position of Sports Advisor in 1970, became so frustrated over the constant "talk and little action'' that he eventually quit the post, electing for early retirement.

"Lots of advice, lots of talk, hours of volunteers' time...all wasted.'' So far the building used to house the former Bermuda Technical Institute, Bermuda College, and several houses bordering Frog Lane have been razed in preparation for the construction of new soccer and cricket pitches, swimming pool, an artificial playing surface and other amenities.

However, one issue seemingly unresolved that will dictate the ability to complete the task is that of finances, with donations being relied upon to aid in building costs.

During his tenure Smith had suggested a lottery which was vehemently opposed by community organisations on the grounds that it would encourage gambling.

Government abandoned the idea, something Smith found strange as few came out against bingo being played for money.

But Smith says he doesn't believe the lack of a top class facility has contributed to the demise of sports in general on the Island. Results, he said, depend on people who run organisations -- coaches, administrators -- although a good facility would likely aid performance.

"A facility is important, but more important are the people that run them,'' said Smith.

TOM SMITH -- made his own recommendations to Government 10 years ago.

TRACK AND FIELD ATH SPORTS SP