Bahrain is set to launch its first hydroponic garden public training centre, which will be built as part of a BD4 million ($10.48 million) project to overhaul a major park in the country, a top official said.

The Manama Municipal Council and Manama Municipality have reached an agreement on the proposal, which will see the 45-year-old Water Garden transformed with a major bird sanctuary, green zones and botanical gardens.

Plans for a similar training centre in the Salmaniya Garden were scrapped last year after disagreements between councillors about the investor - the Green Roof Company.

Manama Municipal Council vice-chairman Mohammed Mansoor said the proposed hydroponics training centre would provide education and training to the public for free.

"An investor will be selected through the tendering process and will have the right to sell crops in the local market in return for the public service of educating and training people," he said.

"I hope that Green Roof Company wins the tender for the new centre because it was the first to come up with the idea in Bahrain and have been working hard to get the contract.

"They have presented us with ideas for the new permanent centre in the Water Garden, unfortunately we can't help unless the majority of councillors agree to award them the contract without tendering."

Green Roof Company managing director Fadhel Sulbi said it was still keen on getting the contract for the new centre after losing out the first time.

"Whatever place they want it to be located at doesn't matter, the most important thing is it should be a good location because we want the public's first insight into hydroponics to be encouraging and not repelling," he said.

"We will enter alongside other competitors if that is what it takes to get the contract and despite feeling upset that we have been snubbed by the council, we still want to do business."

The new revamped Water Garden will feature tiny islands that is hoped will host migrating birds and an educational centre to teach children and the public about the importance of preserving the environment and its wildlife.

According to initial plans, the project could be completed in around three years and it would cover 65,689 sq m with a state-of-the-art entertainment area, public facilities and children's corner. – TradeArabia News Service