month period leading up to a potential sale of the facility got fully underway.

Belmont general manager Gordon Slatford said he was confident that the sale of the Warwick property -- which has been on the market since last September -- would take place.

He said: "We are in due diligence with the Elbow Beach Development Company.

We entered that some two weeks ago and it provides for about a two month period with an option to purchase the hotel at the end of the day.

"The confidence here in that going ahead is high.'' Included in the offer is the sale of the golf course and Mr. Slatford said a survey of the course by Australian golf star Greg Norman's firm had already been completed.

He said the hotel would be making a significant investment in the golf course -- which would increase its yardage beyond the 6,000 yard mark -- to boost interest in it.

But Elbow's plans for the 151-room hotel have yet to be announced, said Mr.

Slatford.

"The hotel requires investment. They have to decide the best way to spend their money as far as the property is concerned.''