Hall of Fame boxer Clarence Hill has accused Government of “dragging their feet” on plans to upgrade boxing facilities at the old Admiralty House community hall in Pembroke.

After granting Bermuda Boxing Association (BBA) permission to use the facility and promising to make any necessary renovations to the deteriorating structure at Spanish Point two years ago, Hill — who won an Olympic bronze medal at the Montreal Games — revealed yesterday that Government had yet to come good on their promise.

“Nothing has taken place since they gave us use of the building two years ago,” he said.

“They (Government) knew it had to be renovated because the wooden floors are all rotted while the building itself needs to be fixed up.

“Some parts of the veranda are falling down while the kitchen and bathroom also need to be renovated. And it’s not really much work that needs to be done.

“They gave us the facility to use for boxing, but I don’t know what is taking them so long to do anything about it.

“I’ve talked with a Minister who attends my church but nothing has happened. I’ve even driven down there (Admiralty House) in my car and walked all around the building and observed some of the windows broken while the door is all boarded up with plywood.

“They ain’t doing nothing . . . they’re just dragging their feet. I have even called the Ministry (Education, Sports and Recreation) but I’m now tired of hearing excuses.”

When contacted both Ministry of Works and Engineering and Ministry of Education, Sports and Recreation officials remained tight-lipped on the matter.

But according to one source it is understood that original plans to upgrade the existing structure have been put on hold due to the “unforeseen circumstances” at the old facility.

Such is the current dilapidated state of the venue, it is now understood the Admiralty House hall may have to be completely demolished and redeveloped to meet safety standards.

However, funding for the project, sources added, have not been allocated in this year’s Government budget, leaving BBA members without a facility in which to train and future plans for the site up in the air.

Hill, though, remains upset that plans have been delayed while Government have instead invested heavily in football and cricket and only recently handed out additional cash to help local sports clubs upgrade their own facilities.

“It’s very frustrating for the boxers because they have nowhere to go and we do have a lot of boxing talent on the Island,” he said. “There are a few boxing gyms on the Island but none are centrally located or really suitable for young children.

“What we need is a proper facility where young kids can go to. Cricket and football got all this money, but what happened to boxing?”