The upcoming second phase of development of the well-known Adhari Park will create nearly 150 jobs for Bahrainis, a top official said yesterday, writes Mandeep Singh.
The director-general for common municipal services at the Ministry of Municipalities and Agriculture, Dr Juma Ahmed Al Ka'abi, told the Tribune that the project would also ensure a tremendous boost for recreational facilities in Bahrain.
"The entire area will soon be transformed into a recreational facility of world-class standards," he said, "for the people both from within and outside Bahrain to enjoy." He said developing the infrastructure of Bahrain's villages is a priority as they are committed to providing citizens and residents with top-class entertainment.
Dr Al Ka'abi said Northern Area has always been in need of gardens, parks and other facilities where people, especially youngsters, can spend their time in a safe environment. "This is now set to happen." A contract worth more than BD9 million was signed recently between the ministry and Al Khaleej Development Company along with Kuwaiti Commercial Mall Company for the development of the second phase.
"We're all set to begin construction now, and we hope that the entire project will be ready before the Eid of 2006," he said. "The project will cover around 170,000 square metres and include playgrounds, swimming pools, a multi-purpose hall, a few restaurants as well as coffee shops."
Dr Al Ka'abi said it will also have a folklore village, a cultural centre, a sports hall and a mosque. "There's a plan to have a facility that'll be used for golf lessons and an open-air theatre and children's recreational area."
The director-general said the BD605,000 first phase of the park included the setting up of a spring and a 200-metre channel flowing into it with additional public facilities such as showers and changing rooms, a cafeteria and shaded seating for visitors.
"The design is a combination of the originality in heritage and the use of modern technology," Dr Al Ka'abi said.
He said the improvement of public parks as well as the creation of walkways and green areas would require a lot of funds from the private sector. "The initial response for the Adhari Park project proves that there's good investor appetite for such projects." He said when the project was tendered, they received eight proposals from which we shortlisted three.
© Bahrain Tribune 2004
