A three-member group's attempts to halt plans by government to convert the three main clay courts at the Tennis Stadium to an all-weather surface have failed.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation, Pamela Gordon, confirmed last night that it was her ministry's intention to go ahead with the laying of a surface that would allow less `down time' after periods of inclement weather, as well as a reduction in the amount of maintenance required.

"We have to make sure that people can get the best usage out of the facility...that is the purpose of a public club,'' said Gordon. "The all-weather court is the best usage of the tax-payers' dollars at this time.

"Also we wanted to ensure that the facility is back in shape as soon as possible and we're hoping that what we're offering is a workable compromise.'' In a seven-page letter to Gordon, and endorsed by Kelly Way-Holland, Coleridge Place and Joseph Morley, president of the All Bermuda Tennis Club (ABTC), it was proposed that government allow the courts to remain clay and allow members of the tennis fraternity to take an increased role in the operation of the facility.

Stated goals were the upgrading of courts one, two and three, the establishment of a board of trustees and to increase revenues at the stadium.

Gordon said that the proposal was not just rejected out of hand and that government were looking to implement at least one suggestion put forward, that of electing a board of trustees to oversee the running of the stadium.

"Having a board of trustees was something government was already looking into, so the ministry was generally pleased that this was one of the points put forward.'' However, Morley indicated that the group were not satisfied and that their quest to have clay courts was not over.

He also voiced displeasure on the manner in which he claimed to have been dealt with by a members of the ministry.

"They patronised us by calling us and then basically rejected us,'' said Morley in an earlier interview. "But the issue is not over and we plan to pursue it further.

"We don't know what avenues we'll take, but we have not ruled out legal action.'' Morley's went on to state how he had been approached by a representative of the Youth and Sports Department, who he claimed had threatened to preclude the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association from occupying a room they currently use free of charge, saying that they and the ABTC should "tread lightly and not cause a big fuss''.

"Government should not be operating from an authoritarian viewpoint and threatening the democratic process,'' said Morley, "they are not the tennis experts.'' The project to upgrade the courts has restarted after a brief hiatus while the proposal was viewed.

TENNIS DILEMMA -- Joseph Morley, one of the key members of the group fighting against the plans government have to replace the courts at the Tennis Stadium, is shown at the venue yesterday where work was continuing to progress in the background.