A state-of-the-art gym and squash club will be the central focus for Bermuda's first 'green' building at Victoria Place.

The Court House, which opened yesterday and which is run by owner Richard Burns and general manager Sue Pell, features everything from the latest technology in weights and cardio-vascular equipment to air-conditioned squash courts.

As reported in The Royal Gazette last week, telecommunications company TeleBermuda International was the first tenant to move into the building three weeks ago, followed by re/insurance firms Risk Management Solutions and Wind River Reinsurance, and, at the end of January they were joined by ArielRe.

The idea for the facility came from the building's developer Alan Gamble, who was keen to have squash courts in the centre of Hamilton and approached Mr. Burns, who has been in the health and fitness industry for the past 20 years, having previously owned The Athletic Club, to take over the running of the project.

Mr. Burns subsequently joined forces with Ms Pell, who he originally worked with in the 1980s and was fresh back from a stint working for Sir Richard Branson's Virgin as national sales trainer in England.

The three squash courts are all fully air-conditioned and managed by Colin Whitney, a squash professional from England, who will be organising ladders, leagues and tournaments and giving lessons. They incorporate a Nana Wall as well, which opens up to allow referees and spectators out onto the balcony.

The environmentally-friendly building was constructed to the standards of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The health benefits of the air filtration system are also available to gym users via the input of fresh air and reduction of CO2 levels, a big advantage for those looking to maintain a fit and active lifestyle, according to Ms Pell.

"It is a LEED-designed building, so that the people working within it should be breathing fresher air," she said.

The gym itself boasts a range of Nautilus One machines with easily adjustable weights and hydraulic seats, while the 25 pieces of cario equipment vary from three recumbent bikes, three upright bikes, three stair masters to four elipticals and six treadmills, in addition to an assortment of free weights. Climbers, rowers, adaptive motion trainers and eSpinners or spinning cycles with computers built into them complete with programmes and instruction, are included in that list.

Two personal trainers, Colin Ayliffe and Luke Smolinsky will be on hand for advice and help, while entertainment will be provided through a sound and audio system and six televisions.

The club is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including public holidays, while booking for spinning classes, personal trainer sessions and squash courts, as well as the ability to access its computerised squash ladder and club directory and to post a message on the forum, will soon be available online.

All memberships (excluding students) include a joining fee of $200 per person, with executive membership costing $150 per month, executive couple membership $270 per month, student membership (between 18 and 23-years-old) for $110 per month and senior membership (over 65s) for $135 per month.

For more information contact 292-8357, e-mail spell@courthouse.bm or visit www.courthouse.bm