Dubai, UAE, September 27, 2009: Majid Al Futtaim Leisure will be combining fun, education and confidence building with their new water-based 'edutainment' recreation facility to open at Mirdif City Centre. A unique concept designed and developed by the company to push the boundaries of in-mall entertainment, Aquaplay looks set to make a big splash with children of all ages.

But visitors don't need to get wet from head to toe with the roll-your-sleeves-up entertainment, which is also designed for fun in water no deeper than an arm's length.

Aquaplay was conceived to mix learning with pleasure, featuring interactive 'aquatraptions' aimed at 2 to 8 year olds. Silvio Liedtke, General Manager, FEC, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, described the facility as a one-of-a-kind facility. "We are all extremely proud of Aquaplay. This was a Majid Al Futtaim Leisure project from concept to completion and it has taken a great deal of vision and hard work to bring this together," he said. "There has always been the scope to create an environment where children can interact with water without being completely submerged in it and we have taken it upon ourselves to realise that potential. It's the perfect way for children to build confidence around water," he added.

Due to open in the first quarter of 2010, Aquaplay features running and still water throughout. It incorporates the marine themes of sandy beaches and palm trees along with an ambient cool blue and sandy beige colour scheme. An offshore sailing feel is provided courtesy of ropes and rigging and the conceptual atmosphere is completed by its own colourful cast of characters, the 'Aquapals,' skippered by the nautical Captain Splash. Pure entertainment attractions include a two-ramp/two-chute indoor flume ride, a tug boat swing ship and a dedicated pool for 12 bumper boats.

But in addition to all the fun to be had, there are also valuable lessons that the facility will impart. The Aquapals emphasise the importance of sea life and also educate children on water awareness. And at the heart of Aquaplay will be region's first Aquatraptions area, where visitors can fully interact with water, experience the dynamics of water or really get going in the Mad Lab while they discover the way the mechanics of the centre work.

To top it all off, Aquaplay will be the host to the region's first gemstone digging facility that encourages inquisitiveness as children look to uncover hidden treasures, take them home and learn about the very essence of the build up of our planet.

Craig Hart, Vice President, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, believes that the new facility has created a whole new concept for children's recreation in malls. "Aquaplay is a new and refreshing idea that has opened up a whole new way for kids to have fun in a mall," he said. "We're very pleased to have been able to bring the element of water into play activity; something that will be educational for children. I'm sure it will play a great role in the Mirdif City Centre experience," he added.

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About Majid Al Futtaim Leisure:
Majid Al Futtaim Leisure is one of the subsidiaries of the Majid Al Futtaim Group. It currently owns and operates Ski Dubai, the region's first indoor ski resort at Mall of the Emirates and nine Magic Planet family entertainment centers across the MENA region.

The division will soon be adding several exciting new leisure concepts and attractions including I-FLY Dubai, an indoor skydiving centre; Cite Des Enfants, a children's edutainment centre; Soccer Circus, a fully interactive football attraction and Aquaplay, a water based interactive centre for children within the group's upcoming mall Mirdif City Centre. It will also give the region its first temperature controlled indoor/outdoor waterpark, Wahooo! set to open soon at Bahrain City Centre.

Media contacts:
Eisha Anand
Polaris Public Relations
Tel: +9714-3415555;
Fax: +9714-3415588
Email: e.anand@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2009