For 20 years it's been a source of frustration for St. George's residents — but in the space of 15 seconds later this summer Club Med will be blasted into oblivion once and for all.

That's how long Works Minister Derrick Burgess says the implosion of the derelict eyesore will take on Friday, August 25.

And the Minister promised people they would be able to stand at a safe distance and watch a "spectacular" sight as the building is blown up to make way for a multi-million dollar Park Hyatt hotel, residence complex and golf course.

"I have seen an implosion many years ago. It was spectacular to me then — I expect it will be spectacular to people now if they haven't seen one before," the Minister told a press conference yesterday.

A 1,000-feet cordon will be set up around Club Med, with local families housed in a safe point at St. George's Golf Clubhouse.

In the lead-up to August 25, the building will be stripped to bare concrete with the removal of asbestos as well as all partitions, fixtures and pipes.

Explosives will then be attached to structural columns inside, meaning they will weaken and Club Med will inwardly collapse in a matter of seconds.

Debris and dust will be controlled by wrapping the columns and lower floors in special fabric.

The clean-up of debris after the explosion won't be so quick — an estimated 48 days according to the Minister.

Mr. Burgess told the media all material containing asbestos was currently being removed from plumbing fixtures, floor tiles and ceiling paint.

Most of the substance has already been taken from the basement, where it had been installed as fireproofing for the boiler room and laundry.

Last week, representatives from Works and demolition experts D.H. Griffin, of North Carolina, met with most of the people who live nearby to alleviate a number of concerns.

They told them roof drains would be blocked off and air conditioning units and other openings in homes covered up.

All houses in the area will be surveyed before the implosion and Bermuda Water Consultants will monitor air and water quality before and after.

D.H. Griffin will be undertaking an impact assessment in the coming weeks, ensuring all precautions are taken to protect residents, surrounding businesses, historic sites, forts, buildings and properties. The Department of Health is also carrying out an assessment of weather patterns on the week of the implosion.

A public information session will be held today, from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at East End Primary School. Representatives from D.H. Griffin will be on hand.