information superhighway.

The prospect was opened up yesterday by former Financial Secretary Dr. Walwyn Hughes.

He said the Base lands provided a great chance for the Island to jump on the telecommunications bandwagon.

"Information technology seems to be the way to go these days,'' he said.

Dr. Hughes is a member of the Utilisation Committee which is exploring ways of using the US Naval Air Station, the Annex, Tudor Hill, and the former Canadian Forces Station at Daniel's Head.

Yesterday The Royal Gazette asked other committee members for their ideas.

These included: A golf course at the Annex; Providing parking facilities at the Annex for motorists from the West End wanting to get into Hamilton; Sports centre; Nature reserve at Cooper's Island; Marina at Penno's Wharf; Setting up freeports; Fish farming; and Land swapping; for example, moving the Bermuda Regiment or Police headquarters at Prospect to Kindley Field and using the vacated property for other purposes.

Bermudians will soon have a chance to offer their own views -- perhaps as early as this week.

Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons, whose Utilisation Committee is working with planners EDAW of London and Barker & Lindberg of Bermuda, said public meetings in both ends of the Island could be organised.

"We haven't nailed everything down quite yet,'' he said yesterday.

Dr. Gibbons added the Utilisation Committee and the planning consultants would be meeting this week to work out their next moves.

Recently, EDAW and Barker & Lindberg announced it could take years for development to occur on the military Bases returning to Bermuda.

But the planning team said some of the lands could be put on a "fast track'' for development, with other coming on stream more slowly.

The team headed by EDAW is preparing economic development and land use plans for the US Naval Air Station, which closes next September, and the other military properties.

The future of the Royal Navy Base, HMS Malabar, which is closing at the end of March, is being plotted by the West End Development Corporation.

Barker & Linberg, which prepared the Dockyard Study for former Royal Navy Base lands in 1984, will do much of the land use work and provide EDAW with local knowledge.

More than 100 Base proposals have already been submitted to Government, and the consultants expect more to arrive during the 16 weeks it will take them to complete their study.

The Utilisation Committee's terms of reference are to "recommend the immediate and longer term land use and economic development priorities for the base properties to ensure their successful integration with the rest of Bermuda in a way which: makes most efficient use of land resources; and minimises the cost of maintenance and development.'' The committee is made up of Bermudians from all walks of life.

"They are not on the committee to represent their companies or their particular fields, just themselves as Bermudians,'' said a Government spokesman.

Yesterday Dr. Hughes said: "I think we as a group have certain hopes and goals in mind.

"We are trying to do something which as far as possible will generate foreign currency to replace that being lost.

"We want to encourage activities that will generate employment opportunities and be environmentally sensitive.'' Telecommunications technology would complement the mainstays to Bermuda's economy -- tourism and international business.

It could even provide a third economic pillar.

Architect Mr. John Gardner agreed with Dr. Hughes on the need to balance generating revenue with environmental concerns.

Mr. Gardner said the return of the Base lands threw up an "exciting'' challenge to Bermuda.

Such ideas as a golf course, sports centre, spa, freeport, fish farming and a marina were well worth exploring, he said.

Mr. Gardner raised the possibility of the annex being used to boost Bermuda's transport system.

It could prove a place for many people from the West End to park before going to Hamilton on a "high-speed ferry.'' "I am looking ahead, perhaps to the year 2050,'' explained Mr. Gardner.

Grocer Mr. Travis Gilbert Sr. said the idea of "land swapping'' needed to be considered.

"For example the Police at Prospect could be moved down to Kindley Field,'' he said.

"I say that only as an example, and not as something which I am recommending.'' Similarly, Warwick Camp or the Department of Education building could be moved to Base lands, and the properties on which they currently stand used for other purposes.

Mr. Gilbert stressed "land swapping'' could pave the way for the planned expansion of the city of Hamilton.

The Bank of Butterfield's Mr. Michael Collier said: "It's most important we obviously find facilities that will generate revenue.'' He added it was essential to discover a blend between "commercial, residential and recreational facilities.'' MARKET FORCES -- Hordes of eager bargain-hunters invaded a flea market at the US Naval Air Station in St. David's yesterday. Among the items up for grabs were household goods, TV sets, computers, toys and books.