by the Canadian Forces last month.

Local concert promoter Mr. Choy Aming announced yesterday that he and several other show promoters and businessmen were banding together in a bid to acquire a piece of 225-acre Daniel's Head in the West End.

The announcement follows the cancellation, due to a lack of venue, of the Maxi Priest concert set for Saturday.

Mr. Aming had planned to hold the reggae concert at the National Stadium. But Government put its foot down because the athletic track is being re-layed. And there was no other suitable venue available.

"We can't just put a performer of his calibre on a field,'' Mr. Aming said.

"We need a first-class venue.'' The concert will now be held in July when the award-winning performer returns from a European tour, and re-laying of the track is complete.

Mr. Aming said that following neighbourhood opposition to some of his most recent concerts -- and mishaps such as the rain-created mud bath at BAA field during reggae singer Shabba Ranks' performance last month -- he would probably now confine his major concerts to the National Stadium.

He was wary of using Frog Lane sports field because of numerous complaints from area residents over loud music and the amount of traffic created.

Local show promoters, including Mr. Aming and Mr. Eddie DeMello, have long lobbied for a proper concert hall so they can put on shows throughout the year.

Mr. Aming pointed out he was often faced with scheduling conflicts in putting on concerts at the stadium and other venues.

"They are often booked up and we can't get in,'' he noted.

And he could not bring in major performers during the winter months because of a lack of adequate indoor venues.

Mr. Aming said the group of promoters and businessmen was in the process of being formed.

The company had its eye on acquiring a piece of land at Daniel's Head, vacated after a 30-year occupation by the Canadians, or at the US Naval Annex in Southampton, expected to close to skeleton status only this year.

"A 3,000-person facility would be ideal,'' he said, adding, "We would not just create a concert hall but an entire entertainment complex.'' A Government committee was set up several months ago to review proposals for the two strips of land, especially the old Canadian base.

However, committee chairman the Hon. Charles Collis has reported that few ideas have been put forward.