Adel
January 4th, 2008, 07:19 AM
BD16.5m recreation project unveiled
http://www.bahraintribune.com/Archive/January_2008/4_1_2008_p2-1.jpg
Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter
A concept plan of the Bahrain Pearl Entertainment and Recreation Centre was unveiled to Muharraq municipal councillors.
The proposed centre will be located on the Shaikh Khalifa Causeway, linking Muharraq with Manama.
The project will come up on 95,755 square metres, a company official said wishing anonymity as the centre is yet to be approved by the authorities.
The main feature of the centre is a large dome, almost a third of it submerged.
Revealing the design, company officials said once the structure was ready, it would resemble a pearl in its geometric design to resemble a giant sunrise and sunset together.
The dome will be of double-glazed glass with the latest solar panels, one official said.
The 4,070 square metre dome will house a restaurant, café, food court, bio-garden and an aquarium.
The centre will also hold a Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ in about 4,529 square metres. Two areas admeasuring 1,405 and 1,832 square metres will be allocated for a shopping arcade.
The developers said they planed to educated children on the value of protecting the environment.
To show them various flora and fauna, in addition to the conservation of the environment, the centre will have a Kids Science Centre in about 1,660 square metres.Another highlight of the centre will be a 2,695 square metres diving centre. About 2,013 square metres have been set aside for boutiques for visitors looking for a holistic experience, including shopping.A 9,217 square metres m water channel is planned with facilities for renting jet skis, sailing boats, boats and ferries. A Pearl Street Carnival will be housed in 7,458 square metres and an amusement park with some of the state-of-the –art rides is planned on an area of 2,643 square metres.In a presentation, officials said 26,552 square metres had been set aside to facilitate public movement as well as parking. The entire project is expected to cost BD16.5 million and executed on the build, operate and transfer basis.
“If we look at Bahrain from the Shaikh Khalifa Causeway, we see the seas and the new developments, including the Bahrain Bay which symbolises development in the Kingdom,” said one promoter of the plan.
“It is an excellent plan that will benefit Muharraq and boost family tourism in line with the government’s tourism policy,” councillor Mohammed Abdullah Ibrahim Al Muttawa said.
Allaying fears of parking space shortage, officials said 390 cars and 20 buses could be accommodated in the space allotted for parking. There is provision in the plan for doubling the space. In addition, it also has marina facilities to help park boats.
“As councillors we are happy that the promoters have promised no entry tickets. But it is yet to be ensured that the rides are offered at affordable rates. They should be available for all, not just the rich. So we will look this aspect of the plan,” Al Muttawa said.
http://www.bahraintribune.com/Archive/January_2008/4_1_2008_p2-1.jpg
Alexander M. Arrackal
Staff Reporter
A concept plan of the Bahrain Pearl Entertainment and Recreation Centre was unveiled to Muharraq municipal councillors.
The proposed centre will be located on the Shaikh Khalifa Causeway, linking Muharraq with Manama.
The project will come up on 95,755 square metres, a company official said wishing anonymity as the centre is yet to be approved by the authorities.
The main feature of the centre is a large dome, almost a third of it submerged.
Revealing the design, company officials said once the structure was ready, it would resemble a pearl in its geometric design to resemble a giant sunrise and sunset together.
The dome will be of double-glazed glass with the latest solar panels, one official said.
The 4,070 square metre dome will house a restaurant, café, food court, bio-garden and an aquarium.
The centre will also hold a Ripley’s ‘Believe It or Not’ in about 4,529 square metres. Two areas admeasuring 1,405 and 1,832 square metres will be allocated for a shopping arcade.
The developers said they planed to educated children on the value of protecting the environment.
To show them various flora and fauna, in addition to the conservation of the environment, the centre will have a Kids Science Centre in about 1,660 square metres.Another highlight of the centre will be a 2,695 square metres diving centre. About 2,013 square metres have been set aside for boutiques for visitors looking for a holistic experience, including shopping.A 9,217 square metres m water channel is planned with facilities for renting jet skis, sailing boats, boats and ferries. A Pearl Street Carnival will be housed in 7,458 square metres and an amusement park with some of the state-of-the –art rides is planned on an area of 2,643 square metres.In a presentation, officials said 26,552 square metres had been set aside to facilitate public movement as well as parking. The entire project is expected to cost BD16.5 million and executed on the build, operate and transfer basis.
“If we look at Bahrain from the Shaikh Khalifa Causeway, we see the seas and the new developments, including the Bahrain Bay which symbolises development in the Kingdom,” said one promoter of the plan.
“It is an excellent plan that will benefit Muharraq and boost family tourism in line with the government’s tourism policy,” councillor Mohammed Abdullah Ibrahim Al Muttawa said.
Allaying fears of parking space shortage, officials said 390 cars and 20 buses could be accommodated in the space allotted for parking. There is provision in the plan for doubling the space. In addition, it also has marina facilities to help park boats.
“As councillors we are happy that the promoters have promised no entry tickets. But it is yet to be ensured that the rides are offered at affordable rates. They should be available for all, not just the rich. So we will look this aspect of the plan,” Al Muttawa said.