determine whether the synthetic running track at National Stadium should be relaid. And news that the facility might be closed until the end of the year is causing grave concern to the two main organisations who use the stadium on a regular basis -- Bermuda Track and Field Association and Bermuda Football Association. Both bodies have been officially advised that it's more than likely that work will proceed on resurfacing the track should the visiting experts feel that is the best step to take, said Charlie Marshall, deputy chairman of the Stadium's Board of Trustees.

"What we have done is, rather than have the users of the track anticipate use of it in the near future, served notices and told them not to include the stadium in any of their immediate projects,'' said Marshall.

"Everything actually depends on how the experts evaluate the track. We are not just talking about the surface but also what is underneath.'' However, mere mention of the closure of the stadium worries the BTFA and BFA, with officials yesterday saying that such a drastic step would cause serious inconvenience.

"There could be a pressing reason why it has to be done, but if it happens we hope that it occurs between August and October,'' said BTFA vice president Bob Oliver.

"We have our National Junior Championships at the end of June and early August, then we have the Bermuda Pacers training for their trip to the US Eastern Seaboard in July with athletes also needing the facilities to prepare for the World Championships in Athens in early August.

"We would be happier if it was done after all of this.'' Work on the track would also hinder the BFA's plans as they kick off the first phase of their highly publicised six-year international plan by staging the Youth International Tournament, scheduled for the stadium in July.

Also on the BFA's agenda are plans to bring in teams to oppose the senior national soccer squad -- likely those CONCACAF teams who are still bidding for World Cup places such as the United States, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Canada.

"We are very concerned over this news. If it closes sooner rather than later it will have a significant impact on our plans because these international matches should not be held at any club grounds,'' said David Sabir, General Secretary of the BFA.

Marshall, however, explained that nothing was certain at this stage and there was no knowing how early work might begin should a decision be made to go ahead. But he reckoned that the plan would probably call for any relaying to start as soon as possible.

"If we have to take the track up it will be our intention to do it right away, aiming at getting it done and have the track reopened before Christmas,'' said Marshall.

Although such work wouldn't effect the soccer pitch, the trustees would insist on closing the stadium to avoid any interruption during construction.

The main problem with the track has been that it has not bonded to the concrete surface allowing water to seep underneath.

The track has been relaid in the past, but without satisfactory results.