The Bank of Bermuda team and individual triathlons will go on this week after almost having plans scuttled over the weekend when the Bermuda Triathlon Association (BTA) were denied use of the key area around Clearwater Beach, St.

David's.

Instead an area near the main entrance of the former United States naval base has been allocated, but the situation has left a sour taste in the mouths of BTA officials.

Association president Mark Edmunds yesterday told how Serco Aviation Services, together with Government's base transition team, had initially granted permission for the event to be staged in the normal area toward the end of the base, but it had been abruptly revoked at the 11th hour.

Highlighted as a reason for rescinding permission was the potential for other groups asking for similar use of the property, something Government wished to avoid, as well as the general disarray that area currently finds itself in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix.

However, Edmunds disagreed with the notion that there will be any increase in demand for use of the site, noting how the BTA had been granted its use in the past without any outcry from other groups.

"I got information saying that they weren't going to let us use the area because they didn't want to set a precedent and have other groups come back asking for use of the land as well,'' said Edmunds. "Personally, I feel hard done by as we had been using the base for some time without any problems.

"We had a meeting and they told us that we could use the Clearwater Beach area and then on Friday I hear that the minister, Grant Gibbons, said we couldn't use it.'' Nevertheless, the association have resolved to continue with events on Sunday using the substitute venue which will see an area of road on the base being used for the cycle and run portions, the playing field area -- recently handed over to the Department of Sport -- utilised as the main transition area and Stocks Harbour for the swim.

Edmunds, however, made it clear that the area, specifically with regard to the swim, was one they would not like to use regularly.

He added that assurances had been received that the sport will be catered to in the future around Clearwater Beach, but that "nothing is in writing or cast in stone''.

This year's team and individual events have been combined, with both set to start at 2 p.m. Entrance is through the main gate.

The deadline for entries is at 4.45 p.m. tomorrow -- there will be no late entries -- and forms should be handed in at Sportseller or New Winners Edge.