•Competition-standard ice rink to host international skating and ice-hockey events
•Open to general public; ice skating lessons, hockey camps available
•Multi-purpose venue with permanent seating for 350; convertible to concert hall for private functions
Dubai, UAE - The Dubai Mall, the flagship development of Emaar Malls Group, will open the city's ultimate chill out venue with Dubai Ice Rink, the city's premier indoor ice skating venue. Located in the comforts of a climate-controlled environment, Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall offers an exciting and diverse mix of family fun, sports and entertainment for the entire city, as the Olympic-size venue prepares to host a diverse calendar of events from figure skating competitions to hockey matches and live concerts.
Open to the general public, Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall will be a year-round family attraction for skating enthusiasts or the fresh beginner. Dubai Ice Rink will offer complete programs tailored to all levels of skill and interest ranging from basic 'Learn to Skate' classes to the more specialised figure skating and hockey camps. A dedicated team of instructors and education coordinators will ensure Dubai Ice Rink provides both a scholastic approach to learning, under the watchful eyes of trained professionals.
Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, said: "Dubai Ice Rink's Olympic-size proportions and multi-purpose usage is the first of its kind in Dubai providing a true leisure differential for residents and tourists. Designed with an open-air feel, Dubai Ice Rink is completely visible from three levels of the mall's main thoroughfares, offering a theatre-like show to the enjoyment of shoppers passing by. Children and families will flock to Dubai Ice Rink to be entertained - whether skating on the ice rink floor, or people-watching from above, for year-round family fun."
Boasting Olympic-size measurements, Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall is an ideal destination to host international ice skating and ice-hockey events with the professional hockey dasher boards and glass being NHL-certified. Built using the latest technology in indoor ice rink construction, Dubai Ice Rink will comprise a built-in thermostat system to adjust the temperature differential needed to maximse competition-standard figure skating events or ice hockey matches.
Dubai Ice Rink also serves as a multi-purpose venue for various events and private functions, with the ability to covert into a concert or festive venue hall. Customised floor panels can be installed to cover the ice rink floor while doubling as an insulator to prevent melting. A massive 20m x 10 m LED screen will double up as a scoreboard, and will be integrated into the venue's overall multimedia system. While Dubai Ice Rink has permanent seating for 350 spectators, temporary stands can be erected to accommodate larger audiences, depending on the event.
Mr Al Ali added: "Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall will feature the world's most advanced systems in indoor ice rink design and execution to offer a world-class multi-purpose venue. A team of seasoned professionals from marketing to operations will be appointed to focus on maximising visitor interaction and event-related opportunities. Dubai Ice Rink will be able to offer a diverse portfolio of activities year-round including school skating programs, hockey camps and also host its own calendar of exciting, international events. It will be the city's newest entertainment destination."
Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall will offer public skating daily, at specified times. Skate and locker rentals will be available onsite, as are trained medical staff. Dubai Ice Rink will also have general concession and refreshments stands, an arcade room, and a Pro-Shop for visitors to purchase hockey and ice skating equipment. An upper mezzanine level will be available for rental for private functions and events.
Other leisure and retail attractions at The Dubai Mall to open in the coming months include a world-class Aquarium & Discovery Centre, the region's first SEGA indoor theme park; the world's largest indoor Gold Souk with 220 retailers; a fashion precinct with 70 flagship stores dedicated to haute couture; the Middle East's first Galeries Lafayette department store; KidZania®, a children's 'edu-tainment' centre; a 22-screen Cineplex; and The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with fully retractable roof.
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About Emaar Malls Group LLC
Emaar Malls Group LLC, is the retail and shopping mall subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, a leading property developer based in Dubai, and drives its diversification into shopping malls. This is in line with Emaar's Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Emaar has announced investments in shopping malls of over US$4 billion (AED 15 billion) with 12 million sq ft of retail property in operation or under development in the emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia and is on target to become one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the world.
At the forefront of these developments is the flagship The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest malls in the heart of the Downtown Burj Dubai. Opening in late 2008, The Dubai Mall will be a premier lifestyle and entertainment destination. Emaar Malls Group is also developing two other malls in Dubai; Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and entertainment development on The Old Town Island which is now open, and the Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping mall for residents of the Dubai Marina community opening in late 2008. Recently, Emaar Malls Group unveiled Cairo Gate, Egypt's largest shopping mall and leisure destination at the Cairo-Alexandria Project site, a mixed-use development spread over 160 acres.
About Emaar Properties PJSC
Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest property development companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Emaar Properties, which has a strong presence in 36 global markets, has expanded into shopping malls in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through a two-pronged approach of geographic expansion and business segmentation. For more information visit www.emaar.com
For more information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Roisin Lillis
ASDA'A Public Relations
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550
Email: k.home@asdaa.com , r.lillis@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008
