Organisers of Bermuda's forthcoming dolphin attraction hope to have the facility up and running before the end of the year.

And sources yesterday said the mammals would arrive sometime this weekend. Dr.

Rae Stone yesterday told The Royal Gazette that she was hoping for a December 1 opening date.

"It is a possibility,'' Dr. Stone said about the possible opening date. "We still have a few things to work out.'' The Royal Gazette understands that the dolphins for the attraction, situated on the Southampton Princess Hotel, may arrive this weekend.

"I can't confirm that,'' Dr. Stone said. "They should be arriving soon.'' Organisers have stressed that the "dolphinarium'' was intended as an educational tool, not a means of showcasing mammals in captivity.

They said it will bear little resemblance to the Blue Grotto Dolphin Show which used to operate at Blue Hole and featured dolphins performing tricks.

Dolphin Quest was based on a similar venture operated at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii since 1984.

Dr. Stone added that the workmen were just finishing off a couple of details and the site would be complete and ready to receive its new stars.

Once completed, visitors will be able to view six bottlenose dolphins by donning life vests and entering the South Shore water up to their waists.

The $1 million Dolphin Quest centre was scheduled to open this summer but during the summer construction crews were still building a protective cove that would act as a nursery area for the dolphins and making the area a little deeper.