The empty United States forces hospital on the former baselands should be transformed into a home for Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association (BPHA), a support group has suggested. The vacant building would make an ideal home for BPHA, which is currently in a Nissan-hut type building on the baselands, said Keith Forbes of Bermuda Stroke and Family Support Association.

Mr. Forbes checked out the building in January when his group was looking for a place for a new dedicated stroke unit. Bermuda Hospitals Board has since decided the stroke unit will be at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Forbes suggests Bermuda Land Development Company (BLDC), which has responsibility for the former baselands, should arrange a lease for the building, and an insurance company could pay for the improvements. He said: "I'm really loathe to see the former Kindley AFB/USNAS hospital continue being wasted. It has been vacant for nearly six years.

"I believe it could be the site of a new and vastly improved home for the disabled. I believe it is almost tailor-made as such. It offers a large, stress-free facility. I would like to see it become a medical facility or residence, or both for the handicapped and the disabled, with appropriate medical, therapeutic and related facilities.

"I gather Summerhaven has a long waiting list and is the only facility of its type in Bermuda. I understand it accommodates only relatively few of the many disabled who are in dire need of adequate, applicable accommodation. Perhaps a philanthropic-minded insurance company - say one of the new breed, with billions of dollars in capital - might be interested in funding a long lease of the building from the BLDC for the BPHA."