Elbow Beach will invest more than $25,000 to turn the former Pier Six Centre into a venue for live bands, dancing and al fresco dining, it emerged yesterday.

The Paget property took over the management of the former eatery and nightclub on January 1.

Pier Six will be renamed The Surf Club and will open its doors in early April.

Elbow Beach general manager William Shoaf said the alliance with Nelson Hunt, who owned and ran Pier Six previously, was a sound arrangement that held much promise.

He said: "We are trying to show a different way of trying to create more business through partnerships rather than competition.

"We believe that competition is not within the shores of this Island. It is with the countries outside.'' He said The Surf Club will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. with live foreign and local entertainment. There will also be a full bar with inside and outside dining.

"We are hoping that it will be perceived as a very fun, smart casual place that people will feel comfortable coming to every day,'' he explained.

"It will be a gathering spot close to the water and reminiscent of places you find in Key West (Florida) or the islands like St. Martin. We hope it is fun.'' Mr. Shoaf said the location of the property -- on Front Street near the water -- was ideal.

He added: "It's not just our hotel. The rest of Bermuda is important to us.

This gives us an opportunity for our guests to go into Hamilton to shop and enjoy the sites.

"We also believe that The Surf Club will give us an opportunity to market Elbow Beach and the hotel industry in a more direct way to cruise ship passengers as they get off.

"Instead of a brochure, they will be able to experience first hand the service and quality of the product we are trying to present. Hopefully we can entice them to come back and stay with us for a week or two.'' Mr. Shoaf said the arrangement was consistent with the $18 million in renovations the Paget property has already embarked upon to prepare for the new season.

Elbow Beach plans to offer a variety of water sports on Hawkins Island in Hamilton Harbour as part of a multi-million dollar upgrade of its facilities and activities.

The renovations began on November 24 and the hotel hopes to have the work concluded on May 1 when it will celebrate its 90th anniversary.

Plans include massive renovations for the main hotel building which comprise the construction of a brand new restaurant, meeting rooms and a business centre.

Water-based activities at Hawkins Island will include jet skiing, small-craft sailing, diving, wind sailing, beach volleyball, nature trails and fishing areas.

Mr. Shoaf said he was "very excited and optimistic'' about the entire enterprise.

"We have had terrific cooperation from the Corporation of Hamilton and we have a nice relationship with Nelson Hunt.

"I think that if Bermuda is to work itself out of the issues that we are facing in the tourist industry, we all have to realise that one and one makes three.

"For us this is all about creating partnerships and creating a better experience for our guests so that they can see all of Bermuda and interact with all its people. We think that if they do that, they will come back.'' TOURISM TOU