Construction begins early next month on The Longbird Club, a business centre and executive lounge for US bound, pre-cleared passengers at the airport.

Principals said yesterday that the new facility could be available to serve a capacity of 60 people at any one time by mid-January, and it is expected that some 400 memberships will be issued in the first year.

The Longbird Club has already begun to attract membership applications.

Interest for such an exclusive lounge has come from business people who leave the Island on business frequently, as well as international companies who wish to provide an added service to thousands of potential clients and associates who travel here for meetings.

A local company, Bermuda Airport Executive Lounge Ltd. (BAEL), was incorporated last spring by Robin F. Gilbert and James R. Pitman, after being notified last November of their winning bid for the government concession.

BAEL president Mr. Gilbert, a long time retailer, said, "We know that there has been a demand for an operation such as this for some time. We have a unique set of circumstances which have challenged us as we formulated our plan.

"Unlike airline-owned lounges, which are subsidised by the air ticket price, The Longbird Club must rely on its income to be able to operate to the world class standards our clients will demand.

"The greatest challenge we faced was how to balance the income needed to provide the very best facilities and services against the necessity of limiting membership numbers because of airport space restrictions during peak periods.'' So far, the most popular membership grade costs $275, although there are other membership grades that include various levels for corporate entities.

While admittance will not be possible for the casual user, members will be able to offer use of the club to guests, such as corporate visitors.

The three areas of the 2,540 square foot facility will include a bar with cafe style seating, a lounge area and space for work stations. Coffee and soft drinks will be complimentary, and a concierge service will arrange amenities including destination limousines, theatre tickets in London and New York and Bermuda taxi tours for visiting guests of members.

Mr. Pitman, a former general manager for British Airways in Bermuda, spent 12 years with the Department of Civil Aviation, rising to director before quitting at the end of 1994. His involvement is through his Badger International Group Ltd., a local company specialising in corporate management, technical consulting to the aviation industry, as well as executive aircraft charters.

Badger provides support to the management and marketing activities of The Longbird Club.

Mr. Pitman said, "We have already commenced discussions with some of the major players, such as the insurance operations in Bermuda who have a substantial number of business visitors a year. We want to be able to provide an attractive service for their benefit.

"There are various membership grades and we intend to have provisions for spouses of members. Apart from the normal amenities offered, we will have a range of business services, such as computer work stations, modem links and a fax.

"We expect that the list of services will expand over time. We are considering a number of others right now. But we wish to get it up and operating as soon as possible.'' Mr. Pitman believes the club will require staffing of three full time people and some part-time personnel.

JAMES PITMANS BUSINESS BUC