Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced that it had awarded a SAR2.8bn ($750mn) contract to build Saudi Arabia’s first water theme park. The park will also be the region’s largest.
The contract was awarded to ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering and Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting, a joint venture between the two companies.
The park is set to cover some 252,000 square metres of land, and will feature 22 rides and attractions. It will be subdivided into nine different zones inspired by native animals that inhabit the area around Qiddiya: the Entry Gate, Camel Rock, Dub Grotto, Wave Wadi, the Den, Viper Canyon, Arabian Peak, the Herding Grounds and Surf Lagoon.
“The Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be 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,” Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, board member and managing director, QIC, said during the signing ceremony.
“The park will offer our guests a chance to experience that in a welcoming and fun environment for everyone.”
Aldawood, along with ALEC CEO Kez Taylor and El Seif CEO Ahmed Al-Bassam, signed the agreement at the Qiddiya Experience Center.
Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects
The Qiddiya Water Theme Park will also offer water sport facilities, along with 17 food and beverage, and retail outlets.
The park will integrate technology to both reduce the water used by some rides, by up to 75 percent in some cases, and to reduce water pressure thus lowering water evaporation.
“We are proud to work on this landmark project in collaboration with El Seif. 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 the Qiddiya set new standards for the region, offering adventure seekers of all ages truly one-of-a-kind experiences,” Kez Taylor, CEO of ALEC said.
Ahmed Al-Bassam, CEO of El Seif, commented: “El Seif and ALEC have formed a strategic alliance and are committed to be the JV of choice for large complex projects in KSA. We are thrilled to be awarded, with our JV partner ALEC, the contract for the Water Theme Park. We thank Qiddiya for its confidence in our JV and look forward to delivering a world-class entertainment facility together – the first in Saudi Arabia and the largest in the region.”
Qiddiya is one of Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects and aims to become a capital of entertainment, sport and arts in the kingdom. The site is located 45 kilometres from the centre of Riyadh and will offer a range of parks and attractions.
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