condemned yesterday by the Shadow Sports Minister Nelson Bascome.

Both the old Technical Institute and the old Sixth Form College have been razed to the ground.

Originally the Sports Centre Trustees hoped to save part of the Institute for community use, but decided it was not cost-effective to upgrade the building.

Yesterday Mr. Bascome attacked the decision -- which was defended as being in the best long-term interests of Bermuda by the National Sports Centre Trustees.

"Both the Chairman of the Trustees and the Minister for Youth and Sports promised the public that a building would be left for community use,'' said Mr. Bascome.

He also asked how permission was granted for the demolition and challenged the chairman of the Trustees, Donald Lines, to produce the model of the proposed stadium.

Mr. Bascome also accused Youth and Sports Minister Tim Smith of washing his hands of the affair.

"Having kept Bermudians in the dark just long enough to totally demolish the entire site the Minister, who added his word to that of the chairman of Trustees in promising use would be made of one of the buildings, now washes his hands,'' said Mr. Bascome.

Mr. Lines is off the Island and unavailable for comment, but the Trustees' deputy chairman Charlie Marshall last night defended the decision to demolish the buildings.

"When we looked at the cost of renovating these buildings for the purposes we wanted them for it became quite obvious that it made no sense economically,'' said Mr. Marshall.

"It would look hideous as an approach to the centre and it was riddled with termites, it did not meet modern building standards and no work had been done on the Insitute for about ten years.'' Shadow minister slams demolition He said it would cost in the region of $1.2 million to renovate and $60,000 to demolish. In addition, said Mr. Marshall, Devon Lane School would soon become available which could instead be used.

The buildings will be replaced by a 25 metre swimming pool, terraced seating and two netball courts. Mr. Marshall also said he hoped to be able to unveil a master plan for the centre early in the New Year.

"Nelson Bascome would be the first jumping up and down if we spent $1 million renovating a building that is not worth renovating,'' added Mr. Marshall.

"We feel we have made the best decision for the people of Bermuda. It may not look like it in the short-term, but it will be in the long-term.'' BERMUDA COLLEGE EDC edc