Long-awaited plans to improve the National Sports Centre are to go before Cabinet next week, The Royal Gazette understands.

The proposals -- expected to cost millions of dollars -- include a sports hall, swimming pool and changing rooms.

Yesterday informed sources said Sports Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon would present the plans to Cabinet on Tuesday.

Chairman of the centre's board of trustees, Mr. Donald Lines, would be present, sources added.

News about the breakthrough comes amid impatience among trustees over how long the project is taking.

Yesterday Mr. Lines said the process was slower than he had hoped for or anticipated.

"Things have probably taken about a year longer than I expected.'' But Mr. Lines stressed he was not critical of Government.

"I would say it is an overstatement to say I'm frustrated, but I am impatient. I'm an impatient man by nature.'' He continued: "To me this is a five-year plan and I've been involved two years so far.

"I would hope within the next three years a lot of the planned improvements would be up and running.'' Mr. Lines said the stadium lands had still not been handed over by Government to the trustees.

"We have got possession of the property in name only,'' he pointed out.

Mr. Lines said the project touched on several Government ministries -- Finance, Public Works, Planning and Youth and Sport -- and this likely explained why it was taking time.

These ministries had a say in the design plans, he added.

"All we have got at present is a concept of the development,'' said Mr.

Lines, adding the plans needed official Cabinet approval.

Without being specific, Mr. Lines said the board of trustees envisaged "more of a community centre than a sports centre.'' Some of the ideas for the centre came from trips overseas, he added.

Earlier this year a five-man delegation from the sports centre went to Canada, visiting sites in Toronto, Guelph and Edmonton.

The Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, in particular, had design concepts applicable to Bermuda, Mr. Lines said afterwards.

Last night Ms Gordon said she understood frustration at how long it was taking to improve Bermuda's stadium.

"I'm frustrated myself, of course I am. I want to see the next phase of the national stadium completed.'' Ms Gordon said it was planned to develop the centre in six stages.

"Phase three is the next one, and it is by far the biggest,'' she added.

Ms Gordon refused to confirm whether she would be presenting plans at next Tuesday's Cabinet meeting.

Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan also declined to comment.

"You know I can never say anything about what goes on in Cabinet,'' he said.

Mr. Lines said he was unaware of the proposed presentation.

"I have just returned from abroad and I haven't heard anything,'' he added