Qiddiya, a multibillion-dollar entertainment destination in Riyadh, has awarded a $750m construction contract for the first water park in Saudi Arabia. It will also be the largest in the Middle East.
Qiddiya’s water park will feature 22 rides and attractions across 252,000 square metres. The contract has been awarded to ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering & Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting.
Following a groundbreaking ceremony, the agreement was signed by Qiddiya’s managing director Abdullah Aldawood, ALEC’s CEO Kez Taylor and El Seif’s CEO Ahmed Al-Bassam.
The water park will house nine themed zones: the entry gate, Camel Rock, Dub Grotto, Wave Wadi, the Den, Viper Canyon, Arabian Peak, the Herding Grounds and Surf Lagoon. It will also feature 17 F&B and retail outlets.
Qiddiya opening Saudi Arabia’s first water park
Aldawood described the new attraction as “a year-round immersive family entertainment destination, the first of its kind and offering experiences that have never before been offered in Saudi”.
“We are pleased to be working with industry leaders like ALEC and El Seif, who will be using the latest in guest experience technologies to create what is certain to be one of the world’s greatest water theme parks,” he added.
“The park will offer our guests a chance to experience that in a welcoming and fun environment for everyone.”
The new water park has been designed to minimise its use of water through recycling and smart usage. Some rides will use 75 percent less water than those found in other water parks.
Multibillion-dollar entertainment destination
Additionally, rainwater will be captured, treated and reused at the attraction. Technologies to reduce water pressure in some rides will reduce water evaporation by half.
Taylor said: “ALEC’s established expertise in large-scale theme park projects, honed through the successful delivery of other iconic water parks in the GCC, combined with the local expertise of El Seif will ensure the rides and infrastructure at Qiddiya set new standards for the region, offering adventure seekers of all ages truly one-of-a-kind experiences.”
“We thank Qiddiya for its confidence in our joint venture and look forward to delivering a world-class entertainment facility together – the first in Saudi Arabia and the largest in the region,” Al-Bassam said.
In December, Qiddiya awarded a contract worth $1bn to Bouygues Bâtiment International (BBI) and Saudi Almabani General Contractors for the construction of Six Flags Qiddiya.
Images: Qiddiya Investment Company
