undergone major renovations to create a modern service station outfitted with high-tech gas pumps and installation systems as well as a new sports centre featuring various water-based activities. The family owned business opened approximately 45 years ago when shipwright Mr. Maxwell Robinson started a boat-building and repair shop. Mrs. Frances Robinson, wife of the late Mr.

Robinson and co-owner of the property and service station, said the boat-works establishment naturally evolved to include a gas pump as well as a small building to provide customers with drinks, snacks and boating supplies. "We only had one pump back then which supplied regular gas,'' she said, adding the gas station opened around 1953. The marina continued to grow to include a diesel pump as well as more dock space followed by more gas pumps, said Mrs.

Robinson. And today the newly-renovated service station has seven pumps and 13 nozzles, which provide straight, mixed and diesel gas. Construction on the site started in April, 1995 and was completed last month, said marketing manager of Shell Mr. Stanley Marshall, noting that the entire refurbishment cost Shell approximately $900,000. "We've been looking to upgrade Robinson's for years,'' he said, adding that Shell (Bermuda) is very pleased with the results. General manager of the service station Mr. Malcolm Swan said the company had been thinking about renovating for the past three years. "We have to keep abreast of the changing times. And in order to cater to our customers, Gas station revamped to include sports complex supplies, drinks and snacks, was demolished except for two walls. And in its place the sports centre complex was built, noted Mr. Swan. Three businesses including Blue Water Divers Co. Ltd., Hospitality Services and the Bermuda Waterski Centre occupy the complex, which surrounds a courtyard facing the water. White with blue trim and blue shutters, the sports centre has three bathrooms including one with wheelchair access. Mr. Swan noted the ground was levelled out before building on the sports centre started. And the original dock was resurfaced. As well, an extension was placed on the southern end to provide the boating public with better service, he said. The new service station, which is made mostly of glass, is located beside the sports complex.

"The glass enables the cashier to see customers pulling up outside and it lets the customers see what's in the shop,'' said Mr. Swan, noting that auto and boat related products such as oil, polishes and waxes, light bulbs, spark plugs, beverages, snacks and ice can be purchased from the store. Cars and bikes can easily pull into the gas station and go around the one way drive through, he noted. And boats have easy access to both diesel and straight gas.

"Customers are pleased with the renovations,'' said Mr. Swan. "We've had nothing but good comments. People like it because it's different and somewhat Americanised, yet it still has that family atmosphere. "Many older patrons who grew up in the area sit on the dock and tell tales. They just love to see what's happening. "Robinson's is very unique and it's a focal point for fishing trips etc. We have a lot of loyal customers,'' he said. The newly-refurbished Robinson's Marina is open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m.

to 10:00 p.m. PHOTO FIRST FILL UP -- (From left) The late Mr. Maxwell Robinson is pictured kneeling next to the then superintendent of St. George's (Shell) Mr. Tommy Gleason, who is filling the Shell station's first boat up with gas.

A customer looks on.

SHELL STATIONED IN SOMERSET -- Former Shell superintendent of St. George's Mr.

Tommy Gleason is shown standing next to past marketing manager Mr. Jimmy Vallis to toast the opening of Robinson's Shell station in the early 1950s.

DAYS GONE BY -- The late owner and founder of Robinson's Marina, Mr. Maxwell Robinson, shakes hands with the former Shell general manager Mr. Brett during the grand opening of Robinson's service station in 1953.

BEFORE RENOVATIONS -- Robinson's Marina Ltd., shown here prior to recent renovations, now provides customers with a full service gas station as well as a sports centre. The sports complex is located where the gas station used to be, and a new structure has been built in which to house boating supplies, snacks and drinks.

DATED GAS PUMPS -- Boaters used to get their gas from the pumps shown here at the old Robinson's Marina. The service station has since been totally revamped.