"clear mismanagement'' of public funds in building an in-operable national sailing centre at Boaz Island.

And the Sandys North MP stressed the only way Government can redeem itself is by turning the $400,000 development into a much-needed community centre or by disbursing funds set aside in the sports 1992/1993 budget for the running of other sports and leisure programmes.

Mr. Lister's response came after The Royal Gazette last week revealed the national sailing centre, which was completed two years ago, has never been used because a $1 million breakwater is needed.

Sailors said the breakwater -- not included in original plans for the centre -- is needed to protect the boats that will use the site, near the Messina House camping site.

The centre, which sits on the Wedco property and is leased by Government, was intended to be a focal point of sailing activity at the West End.

Designed with large boat storage areas, classrooms and showering facilities, Government also hoped to move its summer yachting programme for youngsters from White's Island to the centre.

But Sports Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon said Government budget constraints have made the centre a lower priority. She said the centre will now be used as additional camping space to Messina House until an alternative use for it is found or the breakwater can be built.

"I'm very aware that the sailing centre was purpose-done, but a reality has hit home,'' said Sen. Gordon, who took over the Youth, Sport and Recreation portfolio last month.

But Mr. Lister said former Sports Minister the Hon. Harry Soares knew the centre needed a breakwater two years ago.

And during the Budget debate he said acting Sports Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said the centre would be operational this summer.

"But when you look at the budget the money that was designated for the breakwater was withdrawn,'' Mr. Lister said.

He also noted that while all the programmes under the Youth and Sport Ministry received about a 10 percent increase, all of the increases were for wages and salaries, not for updating facilities.

Mr. Lister further pointed out that only the aquatics programmes which the centre falls under received an increase -- from $162,000 last year to $179,200 this year.

"If this facility is not going to be used for what it was built for then the next logical step would be to look at what the community has been calling for and that is a community centre.

"I will not support any of that money being used except for a community centre or some other programme that did not get funding this year.

" Since elected in 1989 we (Sandys North MPs) have met with members of the Dockyard community who are willing to work to establish a community centre. We just did not have the facility'' He said the hanger next to the centre had been designated as a community centre. "But the hanger is temporarily being used as storage space for materials for the Boaz Island Village development and the field nearby still has rubble and other materials from the development -- which was for the Canadian Forces originally,'' Mr. Lister said.

Explaining that the sailing centre would be used temporarily as a community centre until the forces leave and the community centre moved to its designated site, Mr. Lister said "this is a golden opportunity to open a community centre''.

"It is very securely fenced in,'' he said, "and there is an enclosed area that was going to be used for classrooms. There is also an asphalt covered yard which could be used for basket ball games.'' Mr. Lister said there was already plenty of space at Messina House for camping.

"Government has been saying that they will bend over backward to do things for the young people,'' he said. "Now they have the opportunity and they are running away.''