centre if developers are able to get planning permission and raise $1 million.

And while the proposed National Equestrian Centre is still in its infancy -- Planning permission was only sought on Wednesday -- its backers are keen to point out that the entire structure will not cost the taxpayer a cent.

However if the approval is forthcoming, the first races and other events will commence on Boxing Day in the year 2000.

"The initial cost well be over $1 million,'' David Summers, president of Bermuda-Caribbean Engineering Consultants Ltd., said. "It will take ingenuity to come up with that kind of money.

"Fortunately there is a lot of solid support from the horse world.

Equestrians have a large investment in their horses and facilities.'' Mr. Summers said the Bermuda Equestrian Federation, the Island's national body governing all equestrian activities, has already tasted a degree of success in operating the current track at Vesey Street, Devonshire.

"This is proof of the Federation's capabilities,'' he added. "The Federation is comprised of the most capable people.'' Currently, the existing track is not up to international standards.

It occupies just under five acres of land and the race track that is used for pony racing is shaped like an irregular circle.

Moreover, it has severe width constraints which has meant that the harness racer on the inside track has an undue advantage over the other racers.

In its report, Bermuda-Caribbean Engineering Consultants Ltd. point out there is nothing that can be done within the present circumstances to improve the race track.

Other impediments include the presence of stables on the southern end of the property. This has been a problem because access could only be gained by way of the harness track.

This presents dangers whenever the harness track is being used for practise.

Consequently, the report concludes that the present Vesey Street site is "woefully inadequate as a National Equestrian Centre''.

Only one discipline -- show jumping -- can be done there in conformity to international standards.

Harness racing, dressage and driving events cannot be performed there with any degree of success.

As a result, Mr. Summers said the Bermuda Equestrian Federation -- the organisation behind the drive for a more modern equestrian facility for the island -- wants to erect a new facility at the same Vesey Street location.

And this, Mr. Summers said, should get the support of the public because there is widespread interest in equestrian events in the community.

"We are now creating a spectating facility for the public at large,'' Mr.

Summers continued. "For our youth it will give them a place to go as spectators to witness all sorts of equestrian events.

"The harness racing has had mass appeal and with this new facility it can aspire to a higher standard.

"Gone will be the days of Indian file around an irregularly shaped trackwith lots of dust. It will be much safer and the competition much fairer. Boxing Day and New Year's Day at the races will come back into Bermudians' calendar.

"We are all very optimistic. So far the project had the 100 percent support of the equestrian community.'' Furthermore, he said he hoped that both environmental groups Save Open Spaces and the Bermuda National Trust support the project because steps have already been take to be sensitive to the surrounding vegetation during the excavation and building stages.

ARTIST'S IMPRESSION -- The proposed layout for the new National Equestrian Centre to be located at Vesey Street, Devonshire.

PLANNING PLN