As the beginning stages of planning get underway the debate continues about the best place for a new hospital location.

The three principal locations being considered for the large-scale remodelling project are the Arboretum, Botanical Gardens and the current King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) site.

Public figures have recently voiced their opinion on the subject, nonetheless The Royal Gazette wanted to know what the general public thought about the best location.

Corynne Bailey, 43, suggested the Botanical Gardens, saying: ?I would think they could use part of the Botanical Gardens for the site because they already have the hospice there. So maybe part of the old (hospital site) and that part.?

Dennis Williams, 36, a Central Service Clerk at Conyers Dill and Pearman, thought the relocation should take place near the current site. He said: ?I think they should build a new hospital in the parking lot, because it is still in the general location, still central. Definitely not in any open spaces, not like the Arboretum or the Botanical Gardens.?

Building Manager Anthony Alves saw the possibilities in the Arboretum site, and said: ?The Arboretum is an obvious possibility. That hospital is in such bad condition with the physical plan. I would say definitely not the Botanical Gardens. It is a park that everyone enjoys, like the Ag Show and it is frequented by a lot of visitors.?

Though some people had other suggestions on the new hospital site, a majority of those asked thought it best to remain at the KEMH location.

Lynnwood Tuzo, 25, said ?My suggestion is to keep it where it is. All that money they were gonna spend moving it, they should spend it in the education system.?

Robert Emery, a 55-year-old musician, said: ?I think they should leave it where it is. We don?t have enough open space as it is now. It would be a disaster.?

Logic Worker Shaun Tudeer said: ?It?s alright where it is. They should just stay on the place where they?re at. They have enough property to build on. If you move it somewhere else your taking away more land. The hospital is central where it is, it just needs to be extended.?

Debbie Billing, 47, a Trust manager said: ?Where it is now because we have so little green space.?

Tracy Rodrigues, 44, an Executive Assistant at BF&M Insurance agreed, saying: ?I prefer to leave it where it is. Everyone knows where it is and it costs more money to relocate.?

There are strengths and weaknesses for each of the sites being considered, yet with public feedback The Bemuda Hospitals Board expects that the best decision can be made.