Government is warning the public to follow strict safety guidelines as Club Med is blasted into history.

Onlookers are being urged to stay outside of the 1,000 ft safety cordon, and to watch the explosive event from the water or St. David's.

The former hotel has been rigged with more than 700 lbs of dynamite and is under the watch of a Bermuda Police Service Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit to prevent any intruders.

Officers are clearing neighbouring forts of people sleeping rough and the Bermuda Regiment is conducting night-time patrols of the area.

On Monday, neighbouring residents will be relocated to the St. George's Golf Clubhouse. Pets and animals will also be moved to a secure location, and officials will sweep through properties to ensure no one is left behind.

The implosion of Club Med — by Demolition Dynamics, a subsidiary of US firm DH Griffin Wrecking Co., will take place at 10 a.m.

Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess said yesterday: "It is of paramount importance that for their safety and security, the public stay out of the 1,000 ft exclusion zone on the day of the implosion.

"This event is unprecedented for Bermuda and there is great anticipation as the implosion date nears, but we ask the public to please cooperate and not obstruct the Police and the Regiment as they ensure public safety.

"On the day there will be a highly visible presence of Police officers surrounding the cordon that is placed from the hotel to the 1,000 ft mark.

"There will also be road blocks and traffic restrictions around the exclusion zone.

"Members of the public will be turned away at all roadblocks, so we suggest anyone wishing to view the implosion do so from the water or from St. David's."

The following roads will be closed between 6 a.m. and 12 p. m.: Barry Road at its junction with Grenadier Lane; Old Military Road at Slippery Hill; Government Hill Road at Sapper Lane; Park Gates junction at the entrance to St. George's Golf Club; Anchorage Road at Naval Tanks Hill.

In addition, Fort St. Catherine, Achilles Bay, Tobacco Bay and 'Beach It' will be off-limits to the public.

The Fort St. Catherine area will also be a no-go zone for marine traffic between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Boats will be prevented from anchoring or moving inside of the 'cruise ship' channel on either side of the fort, and may not tie up to any of the channel markers.

Spectators on the water are being advised to drop anchor to the oceanside of the Narrows Channel.

Mr. Burgess said: "Marine Unit officers assisted by the Regiment Boat Troop will patrol the area to the east and west of Fort St. Catherine. They will prevent boaters from entering the entire land side of the Narrows Shipping Channel.

"Those on the water are reminded to comply with any and all directions given by the Police Service Marine Unit, who will be in the area to assist in maintaining the 1,000 ft safety zone.

"The Government looks forward to a successful completion of the demolition of the former Club Med and hopes this will herald a new dawn for expanded tourism through the new hotel to be built in the Town of St. George's."

The Minister said rubble from the building will be taken to an area of reclaimed land at the airport dump.

An estimated 3,500 to 4,000 truck loads are anticipated, with transportation to be carried out by 'Building Blocks' assisted by several commercial truckers.

Kelly Harris, the Government's project manager, said: "The ultimate plan will be to use the debris to increase the buffer zone on the airport runway."

Government officials have taken water samples from tanks in neighbouring houses, to check for any pollution, and Mr. Burgess said needles to monitor vibration have also been placed within the 1,000 ft zone.

But he added: "In terms of foundations, we don't see that being a problem."

Concerned residents can direct any questions to officials and representatives of the demolition company this evening at Penno's Wharf from 7 p.m.