In the end, it was fortuitous that Hurricane Gert hit Bermuda in September, because it allowed a tourist attraction to get a sprucing up after 40 years.

Fort St. Catherine at the northeast tip of St. George island will reopen today after extensive renovations to the foundation and repairs, touch ups, and remodelling to the exhibition areas.

The trademark dioramas in which visitors get an overview of Bermuda History have been cleaned and beefed up for the first time since their installation in the 1950's.

Modern lighting and wiring has also been installed to replace the original works installed by the old Tourism board when the fort was first opened to visitors.

Curator of Forts, Lance Furbert said recently of the closure: "Gert was the catalyst to get working on the foundation.

"With the closure, which was a blessing in disguise, the staff really chipped in doing work outside of their normal roles,'' he added. "They've done a fantastic job. Incredible. They tried their hands at a bunch of things.'' Gert put a lengthy crack in an outside wall right to the foundation, which made specialised masonry work by Bermuda Marine Contractors, led by Nick Hutchings, necessary.

Inside, a new paint job, a 53 inch monitor for a video presentation, and ten museum figures or manikins have been installed in addition to numerous smaller touches.

Mr. Furbert estimated the cost of the internal changes to be more than $35,000, which comes out of the Parks Ministry budget.

The Works and Engineering Ministry is funding the foundational repairs.

Both Mr. Furbert and Mr. Hutchings remarked at the workmanship of the 1840's era fortifications damaged by the hurricane.

Mr. Hutchings explained relatively soft layers of rock beneath the foundation had eroded by the sea since construction. Fill had to also be removed.

Fort St. Catherine: The tourist attraction will reopen today after extensive renovations.