GOVERNMENT has ignored the dying wishes of a 19th-century Bermuda benefactor in its abandonment of the old St. George's parish rest home, according to an Opposition Senator.

And United Bermuda Party (UBP) Senate Leader Kim Swan suggested that going by Government's record on building projects, some seniors might not even be around to enjoy the new rest home promised in the Budget for St. George's.

The old rest home, which had been home to 12 seniors, was shut down in March 2000 because of the ageing building's poor condition.

Since then part of the hilltop site on Secretary Lane has been used for a commercial enterprise.

It was back in 1873 that Sarah Davenport bequeathed ?400 for the express purpose of building a poor house, according to the Bermuda National Trust book, .

The building was erected in 1881 and was designed to house 24 people, 12 men and 12 women.

In 1971, the building was transferred from the parish vestry to the Bermuda Government and redesignated a "rest home".

Sen. Swan argued that Ms Davenport's wishes should not be overlooked.

Health & Family Services Minister Patrice Minors said yesterday she was unaware of the building's history and believed that it might now come under the auspices of the Works & Engineering Ministry.

She wanted to research the matter before giving a response to Sen. Swan's comments.

"I think you can't ignore this building's historical significance and you can't ignore the spirit in which it was bequeathed," Sen. Swan said.

"I don't think any of us would want to see our most honourable wishes ignored, particularly in a case like this where Sarah Davenport was so generous to the people of Bermuda.

"The Government should be looking at a plan to continue Ms Davenport's memory, but there is a complete absence of a plan for that property.

"We go out of our way to celebrate history selectively and turn a blind eye at other times, when we should be embracing an unsung hero. The building was allowed to deteriorate into a state of disrepair and that is consistent with what we see happening with housing on the island."

The Government has allocated around $7.6 million to build a new rest home in St. George's.

Sen. Swan said he supported the project, but added that there were urgent needs for seniors right now.

"The time it has taken for Government to get this thing off the ground, and what we have seen with other projects, does not leave us with optimism that some seniors will be around to see the realisation of this project," Sen. Swan said.

He argued the building could still play a role in the care of seniors even if they could not actually live in it, as a place where they could spend the day for example.

Last year, a UBP poll showed the people of St. George's were in favour of keeping the site as a rest home, rather than using it for affordable housing or luxury condominiums. Two years ago, Government Senator David Burch argued that the site was unsuitable for use as a rest home as it overlooked a graveyard.

At the time of its closure four years ago, the then-Health Minister Nelson Bascome said conditions were appalling and the rooms were "like cubicles".