The Bermuda arts community can breathe a sigh of relief today with the finishing touches being put on the new Ruth Seaton James auditorium.

Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott led a media tour yesterday around the purpose built facility and said he was "totally impressed'' by the $7 million building.

"I am totally impressed with the building and its equipment,'' Mr. Scott said. "There is nothing like it in Bermuda.'' "Until I became the Minister I knew very little. My first look at it is as a regular Bermudian. I am impressed with what the Works and Engineering Ministry has done.'' Mr. Scott denied the theatre would only be used by CedarBridge Academy, saying: "The Government's intention is to make this a shared facility. We see it as an investment in the community. We may even rent it out to overseas groups.'' The new Ruth Seaton James seats 643 people in air conditioned comfort and is painted in typically Bermudian -- but certainly un-typical for a theatre -- pink and maroon.

Works and Engineering architectural technician Philip Nearon said the auditorium had been designed from the ground up after a flaw was found in the old Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.

The original design of CedarBridge only included renovations and improvements that although extensive, still relied on the decades old building.

Mr. Scott said: "This whole thing occurred because there was a flaw in the floor of the original building. Lo and behold this theatre evolved. I hope many Bermudians will come out to the Bermuda Festival events here beginning on January 11.'' He added: "Bermudians are not going to be ready for the new Ruth Seaton James. It is going to be, as they say, a mind blower!'' Mr. Nearon added: "At the time we felt it was an excellent opportunity to give Bermuda a purpose built theatre. In this instance, the acoustics are second to none and the sound is equal to the best in the world.'' Mr. Scott said play and musical performance directors and producers at rehearsals will no longer have to worry they may have moved lighting and sound levels set for another event.

"All they will have to do is bring in their diskette and pop it in the computer,'' he said. "That is all. Once it is programmed in, everything is set for show time.'' The auditorium has five dressing rooms, an orchestra pit for 60 to 70 musicians, and warmup, rehearsal, and green rooms.

Designed by the same architectural firm that did CedarBridge -- C.A. Ventin of Toronto, Canada -- the auditorium is near to the school's cafeteria and which is ideal for evening time events.

The entire wing is wired for sound so concert goers will not miss a beat or note from the stage while walking the halls.

Mr. Scott said the added boost to the arts community the auditorium provides would be welcome, and he foresaw a day when the City Hall Theatre could be refurbished.

He added: "I think the arts community had every reason to be frustrated with Ruth Seaton James and the City Hall theatres. They were built in the 1960's.

They have choices now.'' "We will sit down with the committee in charge and see that a manager is put in place to ensure that it is run properly and promoted.'' The old and new Ruth Seaton James auditoria are named after the first Bermudian woman to serve as Registrar General.

STANDING OVATION -- Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott chats with architectural technician Philip Nearon and quality control technician Colin Anderson above the orchestra pit of the new Ruth Seaton James Auditorium. The 643 seat theatre will host its debut performance next month.