The St. George's Club is seriously considering building new units if Government's review of timeshare laws leads to an extension of lease times, The Royal Gazette has learned.

Bermuda's timeshare laws only allow members to take out 25 year leases - then they must give up their properties.

In the US, timeshare members can buy leases for life, and St. George's Club members have been lobbying for greater rights here.

St. George's Club managing director Dan Walters said the club is considering building new units if the current review of timeshare laws results in longer leases.

"It is something that is being considered very seriously," Mr. Walters told The Royal Gazette. "Typically, timeshare leases in the US are for life or 99 years, whereas here we only have 25 years.

"If you are asking someone to commit that kind of money (on a timeshare unit) as well as yearly and maintenance fees (you need more).

"For future developments, you definitely need longer leases. These will make it easier to sell timeshare. We would love to build more units, but with a 25 year lease, it would be hard to sell them."

A St. George's timeshare unit owner has welcomed news that Government is considering amendments to the Timeshare Act.

John A. Vossler, who is on the Members Advisory Council for St. George's Club, said: "If the long anticipated revisions to the 1981 Timeshare Act are indeed accomplished quickly, there may be hope yet for a turnaround in the current tourism debacle."

Mr. Vossler gave credit to Opposition Senate Leader Kim Swan for pushing for amendments to the Act, including the need for a responsible board of directors, longer ownership periods and the requirement for the developer to fund unsold maintenance fees.

Mr. Vossler also backed Opposition calls for an independent tourism authority and proposed that a timeshare unit owner be added to the authority's board.