Government's youth coordinator has called for more extensive facilities for young people at Hamilton's main community centre.

Keith Smith said the Island was generally well served by three community centres offering youth programmes, but the facilities at the Angle Street centre needed to be expanded so more outdoor sports could be offered. "We're over extended in the facility we have now. We can't do anything else because we are limited by the space we have there." he said.

The call comes as both parties are making platform promises to the youth to try and convince voters their needs will be addressed. The Progressive Labour Party has pledged to introduce a new special needs school in September, and make amendments to the Children's Act which will standardise procedures for dealing with adolescents.

Meanwhile, the United Bermuda Party plans the introduction of inter-parish sporting competitions, as well as youth centres in "key neighbourhoods" around the Island.

Currently, facilities can be found Islandwide in Somerset at Sandys Community Centre, in St. George's at Barrack Hill and at Angle Street in Hamilton.

The most extensive youth programme offered at the moment is in St. George's, which has the run of Garrison Field, a gym for basketball, and a games room. "We need a centre in Hamilton like the one they have in St. George's," Mr. Smith said. "It just has a lot more to offer and if you've got space you can offer more."

There is also a drum school at the St. George's centre, operated by drummer Eddy Ming.

In Sandys, the Boaz Island department of the community centre is about to open up a music centre catering more for older teenagers. At all the centres, young people who go along can expect to be able to play basketball and pool, while there is also a boys and girls club at each facility for children of middle school age.

At the Angle Street centre, there is an emphasis on structured activities, including golf, dancing programmes and activities such as hiking the Railway Trail. The centre is offering a summer programme of predominantly water-based activities such as snorkelling and diving. "The centres are well-staffed and well-used," said Mr. Smith. "Our mandate is sports and recreation and all of our focus is on getting kids outdoors to be more physical."

On the idea of inter-parish youth sports competitions, he said: "I can't see anything wrong with it. The concern for me would be the administration of it. It would be nice if we had some volunteers who would be willing to get involved. I'd support anything to do with helping keep young people off the streets."