05 September 2016
Muscat - A 7,500-sqm state-of-the-art aquarium and a snow park will come up in Oman as part of a 250,000-sqm shopping mall. The aquarium, with more than 250 species of sea creatures and a replica of Oman's marine ecosystem, and the 5,000-sqm snow park, both firsts for the country, will come up in Madinat Al Irfan, Al Mawaleh. Mohammed al Jarwani, Chairman of Al Jarwani Group, said the 'Oman Aquarium' would be part of the Palm Mall. The group is investing about RO 200 million in the project through the establishment of an integrated city with hotels, shopping malls and recreational centres in Muscat Governorate. More than 70 per cent of the Palm Mall project has been completed," he said.

"This landmark project will help children appreciate the uniqueness of Oman's marvelous underwater life," said Al Jarwani. The testing and commissioning of the aquarium project will commence by June 2017. Already, special components for the aquarium have been shipped by Advanced Aquarium Technologies Pty Ltd, the consultant implementing the project, from Australia. They will reach Muscat by mid-September 2016, he said. The snow park, located at the third level of the mall, is the first snow-based theme park in Oman. Unlimited Snow, a specialist consultant firm from the Netherlands, is executing the project. "The machine/plant room for the project and rides are ready for shipment. By October 2016, work on the third-level steel structure will commence so that the site can be handed over to Unlimited Snow," said Al Jarwani.

At the snow park, visitors would be transported to an Alpine winter landscape with realistic mountain sceneries, Alpine chalets and snowy rockwork. It will also have food & beverage terraces with themed furniture, huts, trees, snowfall, sound & light effects as well as a starry sky. A merchandising shop will offer a range of souvenirs."Visitors can also purchase TapeMyDay photos and videos covering their entire visit as a lasting memory," Shibu M Sukumaran, Director-Business Development, and S Anil Kumar, Director-Projects, said. The project is also expected to provide 4,500-5,000 direct and indirect jobs. More than 50 international brands will have a presence in the mall. The directors claimed that the only road leading to the mall from Al Khoud will see a rapid expansion. Talks are currently on with the Muscat Municipality, they said.

© Oman Daily Observer 2016