The Botanical Gardens is set to undergo a major transformation over the next six months ? even though no decision as to the future location of Bermuda's new hospital has yet been made.

The Botanical Gardens is one of three suggested locations ? along with the Arboretum and the current hospital site on Point Finger Road ? which have been earmarked as potential sites for a new hospital But yesterday Park Planner, Drew Pettit said that his department had an approved management plan and was working towards this, "regardless of other plans" to prepare the park for next years' Annual Exhibit and tourism season.

He said his department would continue working towards this programme "until told otherwise".

The Ministry of the Environment unveiled the plan to renovate the Botanical Gardens yesterday, saying it was intended to create a major additional attraction for visitors, while reducing maintenance costs.

With a scheduled completion date of March 2006, the exhibit will include the four planed gardens based on historical formal styles that have had a major influence on modern garden design.

These are a Japanese Zen Garden, a 17th Century style English Parterre Garden, a 12th Century style Persian Garden and a Tudor style children's maze.

Each garden will be approximately 90 square foot in size and will be constructed by the Department of Parks over the next six months.

Mr. Pettit said this was an exciting stage in the evolution of the Botanical Gardens which, with more than 100,000 visitors a year, is one of Bermuda's most popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.

"We look forward to formally opening the new Gardens for the Annual Exhibit in 2006," he said.

Mr. Pettit said the redesign would enhance the park's ability to fulfil its mission to educate and promote interest in botany, horticulture and garden design.

Adding that preliminary work had already begun and a fundraiser campaign for the project is in its early stages.

Department of Parks staff have been steadily rebuilding and improving the park since it was devastated by Hurricane Fabian in 2003.

In addition to the plan collections saved from the storm, visitors to the park can now enjoy a newly renovated Sensory Garden, a new Butterfly Garden and an "economic" collection dedicated to Bermudian Crops.

The formal gardens is one of the major attractions for all bus and taxi tours visiting the park and during the cruise ship season, the Visitor Train includes up to three daily trips from Hamilton past the formal gardens.

But as one of the largest plan bedding schemes in Bermuda, the current design incurs substantial maintenance costs.

While perhaps best known for hosting the Annual Exhibition, the park boasts a multitude of botanical plant collections, theme gardens and interesting plant specimens for the pleasure of visitors.