Former Bermuda Track and Field Association president Randy Benjamin remains sceptical over whether the final product will ever match the "grand plans'' for the National Sports Complex.

Speaking at yesterday's Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships, the deputy principal of Northlands Secondary School recalled that he was part of a previous committee that put forth similar plans to those recently presented by the Donald Lines-led board of trustees.

So far the area of Frog Lane has been cleared and the Bermuda College campus demolished in preparation for the multi-purpose facility that is intended to include a 50-metre swimming pool, gymnasium, three soccer fields, cricket pitch, track and grandstand.

Yesterday, the board introduced the design team -- including architects Cooper & Gardner, engineers Woodbourne Associates and three Canadian firms, cost consultants Russell J.Eddy and landscape architects Landscape Consultants Ltd., -- for the project, slated to be completed by 2000.

But Benjamin remained unimpressed.

"I'm wondering whether I'll see it in my lifetime. In 1972 we had grand plans and nothing's too different from the plan that they're developing now,'' said Benjamin, motioning around the existing developed area which employs temporary seating on the western side as well as makeshift changing and bathroom facilities.

"In 1972 I sat on that committee, we drew up plans for this same area, yet we are in worse shape than we were in the mid '70s and '80s, because at least we had a pavilion in place, at least there were proper changing rooms. We don't have that now.

"We have uncomfortable seating up on the terraces, we have a field that lacks cover. What happens if it rains here? We have grand plans but when is it going to come into effect?'' And Benjamin charged that because of the Island's failure to upgrade its facilities and because of general disregard for athletics -- unless a profit could be derived -- the quality of sport and attitudes of youngsters had plummeted.

Where Bermuda once stood as a beacon for Caribbean athletics it now rests as but a footstool, he said.

"I'm not so sure that (Government) really are doing (sport) justice,'' said Benjamin. "I think that they pay lip service to it, but I don't think the full implication is seen by the powers that be. And that shows in how long they've taken to develop this National Stadium.

"In the '70s and '80s, Bermuda was the model everyone in the Caribbean copied. Now they've gone streets ahead of use because in 25 years we've made no progress whereby they have learned and gone on. We're doing things the same way we did 25 years ago and not doing them as well.

"To me that's stagnation. You don't improve when you don't change and modify and start to tailor your programme to the needs that the community and sport asks.'' Benjamin fondly refers to 70s as the "Golden Era'' of Bermuda sports, a period marked by the Island topping Jamaica in medals at the CARIFTA Games and the national soccer squad thrashing the United States 4-1.

Since then both sports have been in steady decline and according to Benjamin this is due to a lack of effort in ensuring children get proper instruction from persons with a genuine interest in their development -- and have good facilities and conditions to perform in.

"We have to teach. You can't expect kids to come up here and perform if they haven't been prepared.

"Preparation needs to take place and we need to present it and make it something they want to be part of, because once you have the desire you will perform.'' The just completed championships were the last under the multi-school format before students are amalgamated at Cedarbridge Academy.

Bermuda building team announced -- Page 6 .