a new Dockyard dive shop and water sport business operator, said WEDCO's commercial development manager.

"We have received a number of proposals and we are still interviewing.

Four of the proposals are being considered,'' Mr. Ed Williams said yesterday.

"I anticipate that WEDCO's management committee will make a decision by the end of August,'' he said.

Mr. Williams, who will make a recommendation to the committee, said the proposals under review were generated locally but declined to give details other than to say the plans submitted were similar.

The business would likely commence operations next summer, he said.

"Our charge was to create another product, this is one of those products,'' he said.

The new dive shop and water sport operation will be located in what used to be an electrical business.

The building, located just inside the gate on the water side, is not one of the site's original structures.

Ironically is the only building located at the water's edge, said Mr.

Williams.

"The visibility for whoever is granted the lease will be incredible,'' said Mr. Williams.

Visitors will see the shop just after entering through the front gates while cruise ship passengers and ferry users will see the building when they enter Dockyard by water.

The new business will have access to Dockyard's over 300,000 visitors per year and to passengers from a cruise ship berthed at Dockyard for 30 weeks of the year.

"Some of Bermuda's best dive sights are near Dockyard,'' said Mr. Williams.

Costs to WEDCO have been minimal as they have covered expenses related to installing washrooms, painting and fixing doors and windows in the 764 square foot building, he added.

WEDCO did not want to limit proposals to only scuba diving, he added.

Retail has done well at Dockyard and there could be a retail dive shop in the new business while the business may have a sailing component, he said.

"We wanted to offer a broad range of possibilities so people could be creative with their proposals, we wanted to say if you have an idea related to water sports approach us,'' he said.

WEDCO is looking to develop other Dockyard buildings, possibility into other retail operations as well as offices and even a hotel is considered, he said.

"This is a very exciting project, Dockyard has a great atmosphere,'' said Mr.

Williams who has been with the west end project for five years.

"Dockyard is a destination unto itself with a high repeat visitor rate. This is all part of reinvesting in tourism,'' he said.