president Joseph Morley, yesterday intensified their bid to have majority of the clay courts at the Tennis Stadium retained and not replaced by all-weather surfaces.

The Bermuda Government has recently started major repairs at the stadium, estimated to cost $115,000 and the work involves replacing three of the existing six clay courts with harder all-weather surfaces.

Currently at the stadium are a total of eight courts, six of which are clay and two all-weather surfaces.

The group is petitioning players and members of the public for financial support in order that money can be raised as soon as possible to cover the cost of putting down new clay courts, which is reported to be far more expensive than the all-weather courts.

Government has reportedly informed the group that it would cost an additional $65,000 to meet its request. But the group regards this figure to be exceedingly higher that what they calculate it will cost if some of their members were involved in the project.

Government is so concerned about the steps taken by the group that officials, including Premier John Swan, visited the stadium on Monday to meet with Morley and a few of the members.

Director of Youth, Sport and Recreation Brenton Roberts yesterday confirmed that work, which has now stopped, was initiated as a result of a survey was conducted in 1990 when all tennis bodies were asked for their input.

Morley said: "Our objective is to keep the six clay courts so that we could have major tennis tournaments, which require five courts. By eliminating three courts like Government plan to do, you eliminate a clay tournament for an asphalt or hard-surface tournament,'' said Morley.

"Most of the tournaments in the island are held on asphalt so in a sense it is unique at the stadium because it is the only Government facility that has clay.'' Morley said that the group would take whatever money that was raised and then quickly hand it to Government in hope that something could be worked out to retain the clay courts.

"We have spoken to other people in the tennis community who are electricians and contractors who have said that $65,000 is a ridiculous estimate and that we can do it cheaper if we all chipped in and offered help,'' said Morley.

"One of the guys is willing to donate 40 hours of his equipment and so forth.

If a few others can offer their expertise by donating their time and some material, then maybe we can do it.'' In the petition for financial support, the group has revealed plans to stage a fund-raising tournament called a Round Robin Marathon, scheduled for today and tomorrow.