signing a 99-year-lease on a historic property.

Members of Parliament yesterday spoke of the importance of the centre at the National Trust site at Springfield, which has had $700,000 spent on it in recent months. It will become a focal point for young and old, and tourists, when the project opens. No opening date was announced in the House yesterday.

Minister of Works and Engineering Alex Scott said the 18th century property had been empty since 1993 and had fallen into disrepair. A lease at $1 a year had been agreed with landlords, the Bermuda National Trust. Mr. Scott noted that there were 19 slaves on the estate at one point and called for the history of the site to be incorporated into an attraction for Bermudians and visitors alike.

Tourism Minister David Allen said the centre could become a point on a village heritage tour, which could go some way to putting Somerset on the map. He added there were business opportunities also, and the centre would give visitors a chance to mix with seniors and young people.

But Opposition Leader Pamela Gordon warned that, given the historical importance of the building, people were told that vandalism such as graffiti was unacceptable. She added that any repairs and maintenance would also have to comply with historical building regulations -- and could become more expensive. She asked if a fund for repairs had been allocated.

And Ms Gordon asked whether the trouble with the people associated with the Sandys Action Group, who had declared that they would have nothing to do with Springfield, had been resolved.

Youth and Sport Minister Dennis Lister said the main fabric of the building had been finished and now staff were fitting out the inside of the centre.

Paget West Opposition MP Patricia Gordon Pamplin questioned security at the new centre. Her concerns were not with youngsters, but thieves who might try and steal the various computers housed at Springfield.

But Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister drew cries of "shame'' from the Opposition benches when he suggested that both Ms Gordon and Mrs.

Gordon Pamplin were offering up "invitations to incite those who are not on board''.

Referring to the two MPs as "the two sisters on the other side'' he said: "I am very unhappy about that. We are going to do some very interesting things up there for a facility that will enable seniors and young people to work together and the idea is to provide all our people with a stake and a chance to take part''.

The terms and conditions of the lease were approved with no objections.