attraction or handed back to the community? The former Marine barracks-cum-prison, which dates back to the 1880s, now stands empty after inmates were transferred to the new facility last week.

But Hamilton pedestrians last week had lots of suggestions on how the building, described both as a "monster'' and a national monument could best be put to use.

"Burn it down,'' was the reaction of one youth but most people wanted to see Casemates kept intact.

"Don't knock it down, please,'' pleaded bus driver, Mr. Ted Brangman.

"Casemates is a national monument. It should be made into a museum.'' Mr.

Phillip Lambert agreed.

"Turn it into a museum and leave it like it is,'' he said. "It could be used to show how the prison used to be. As an old building, it should be left standing. And it would make an extra tourist attraction in the Dockyard area.'' But Mr. Charles Berry said government would do better to start again.

"I wouldn't want to put my dog in there. Tear it down and put up an aesthetically pleasing, purpose-built building that would really enhance the Dockyard area. From what I've seen on TV, it looks like a pretty horrible affair,'' he said.

Lawyer, Mr. Warren Cabral suggested preserving the structure and creating a Tower of London style "dungeon of horrors.'' "Casemates would make a great tourist attraction,'' he said. "Someone should get in contact with Madame Tussaud's in London and make a wax museum of Bermuda's penal history.'' "Why pretend it isn't what it is? It could be converted into a museum very easily.

Casemates could be used to show the history of the eras it has spanned. Hard labour, executions, duckings -- a lot of horrible things have happened there.'' Miss Natasha Hodgson, a bank employee, agreed.

"There isn't really anything in Bermuda for kids and young teenagers like there is in the States. Casemates should be made into a family style attraction or a type of amusement park,'' she said.

The idea of converting Casemates into a hotel, considered a non-starter by Wedco, found favour among a few.

"Turn it into a hotel,'' said Mr. Raymond Knight. "It would be very good for the whole Dockyard area. We need a hotel as a convention centre. They should keep the old historic look and renovate it on the inside. It might cost a fortune to do but it would open up the whole Island.'' "What can be done? We don't know what state it's in,'' protested Mr. Gordon Henry. "The building should be preserved but as what? A hotel could be interesting. I should hate to see it torn down.'' "Condominiums,'' suggested Mr. Christopher Christou from New Jersey.

"They could combine cells to make apartments. In New York and New Jersey they take all sorts of strange buildings and adapt them.'' Mr. Winston Kelly approved of Wedco's most recent idea to convert the building into a marine aquarium.

"An aquarium is a good idea,'' he said. "Something tourist related would be good up there to further enhance the Dockyard area.'' Taxi driver, Mr. Lee Raynor suggested converting Casemates into a shopping complex.

"Make it into a shopping mall with lots of nice shops and restaurants upstairs,'' he said. "There could be a section for local entertainers or a gambling casino which would attract tourists from all over the world.'' But Ms Carla Seepersad said there are already enough shops at Dockyard.

"Knock it down and build a purpose-built amusement park,'' she said. "No more shops -- there are enough already. Let's do something different.'' High-security offices was an idea.

"Casemates would make unique and distinguished office premises for exempt companies needing high security,'' said one man. "Or it could be used for the diamond cutting operation instead of at the airport. The security is already there. People can't break through the roof and the walls are six feet thick.'' Other suggestions included a community centre, a youth detention centre and a deterrent for borderline criminals.

One woman said Casemates should be used as a detention centre for delinquent fathers until they paid child support.

Many expressed an interest in seeing Casemates for themselves.

"Open it up to the public,'' said Ms Claire Minors. "Let us see in what conditions the inmates had to live in.'' "Casemates is part of our heritage.

A museum would be a good idea because of its historical worth. It should be a place where my grandchildren will be able to look back and see what life was like then.'' Mr. Charles Berry Mr. Ted Brangman Mr. Warren Cabral Mr. Phillip Lambert Ms Claire Minors Mr. Lee Raynor