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Ice-themed water park serves as first phase of family entertainment destination WOW RAK
Ice Land Water Park, the widely anticipated ice-themed water park and part of the 125-acre WOW RAK theme park and resort destination in Ras Al Khaimah, was officially launched (Thursday, September 23, 2010) at a press conference held at WOW RAK, in Al Jazeera, Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. The water park, designed to accommodate over 10, 000 guests daily, will open its doors to the public from September 29, 2010, with more than 50 exhilarating water attractions and water slides. Ice Land Water Park will also showcase a number of landmark attractions including the world’s largest manmade water fall and the largest rain dance pool in the world.
Managed by Polo RAK Amusement, a joint venture between India’s Polo Amusement Group and RAK Properties PJSC and RAK Investment Authority, Ice Land Water Park is equipped with a full set of in-house utilities, including 4 megawatt power generation, a water desalination plant capable of producing 525, 000 gallons a day and water filtration systems to maintain the 4 million gallons of pool water, to ensure uninterrupted enjoyment to the visitors. The facility has also been designed to be eco-friendly as it is equipped with two water recycling plants that will recycle water to be used for horticulture purposes.
Balwant Singh, Managing Director, Polo RAK Amusement, said: "Ice Land Water Park will distinguish itself from other water parks around the world through its unique ‘Enduring Guest Experiences’ concept wherein we will offer guest experiences with segmental appeal to tap a wider range of age, lifestyle and culture groups. For instance, we have built the Kids Cove as a dedicated place for toddlers primarily because children and toddlers are often overlooked in facility planning of other water parks. There is certainly something for everybody to enjoy and appreciate and we are sure that families will greatly appreciate such a unique, complete entertainment experience."
Mohammed Sultan Al Qadi, Managing Director and CEO RAK Properties PJSC added: "Families and theme park enthusiasts from all over the UAE and the rest of the region have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Ice Land Water Park and we are certain that they will not be disappointed with the water park’s excellent mix of traditional and unique water attractions and slides. Designed to accommodate up to 10, 000 visitors, Ice Land Water Park underlines Ras Al Khaimah’s continuing thrust to offer a premium selection of business, leisure and lifestyle amenities and to attract more visitors to the emirate. Ice Land Water Park will certainly reinforce the growing reputation of Ras Al Khaimah as a safe, secure and exciting place to live, work and play."
The Penguin Falls located at the entrance of Ice Land Water Park is the world’s largest manmade water fall that stands 120 feet tall and 540 feet wide with 100, 000 gallons of water cascading down its contours each minute. Penguin Bay, an interactive water play area, is the largest rain dance pool in the world measuring 30, 000 sq feet and offering shaded discos, open discos, rain showers and the "Rock Hoppers Den", which is a fully equipped stage with acoustics and theatre lighting for pulsating performances. Rain dance and on the spot contests would be a regular feature of the Penguin Bay.
Other novel attractions of Ice Land Water Park include the Aqua Games, a regular-size soccer field with soft turf, shallow water and rain showers to offer a unique soccer experience; the Coral Reef, which offers real-life snorkelling experience in a manmade coral reef complete with live fish; and the Tundra Baths, forerunners of the modern-day spas and Jacuzzis that carry with them a legacy of therapeutic powers of hydro massage.
There is also the Kids Cove, a dedicated play area for the toddlers with shallow waters, miniature slides and a sand pit; and the Slide Zone with 24 water slides emerging from five towers from heights of up to 110 feet, giving visitors a majestic view and a unique experience as they slide down heavily themed snow-clad mountains and mountain streams.
Offering a unique panoramic view of the Al Hajar Mountains in the east and the Arabian Gulf in the north, Ice Land Water Park also provides a complete range of food and beverage choices to visitors, including food court outlets, buffet and ala carte dining options and platter foods. The venue also has car parking for almost 2, 500 vehicles and 75 buses, while the shaded seating areas can accommodate up to 2, 000 guests. Walkways are also covered with synthetic turf to prevent slips and provide comfort to bare feet from the heat.
The entire park is covered by an integrated RFID system to include ticketing, access control, lockers, food court and merchandising transactions. Trained lifeguards, wireless radio network covering all critical areas are also part of the safety mechanisms adopted by the facility.
Ice Land Water Park is the first phase of WOW RAK, the complete family entertainment getaway. A chalet-type seaside resort and the shopping mall, which consist the second phase of WOW RAK, are expected to open in autumn 2011. The Shopping mall will offer a rich entertainment experience with multiplex theatres, 4D theatre, ice skating rink and lots more. The Planet Earth amusement park, which will include five intensively themed zones (Cosmos, Oceanic, Amazon, Mountain and Desert) each featuring a signature ride besides other attractions, will open in autumn 2012.
