• Home
• /
• Business

Foundation laid for Ferrari theme park at Yas Island

ABU DHABI — The foundation stone of first Ferrari theme park was laid in Yas Island yesterday to make Abu Dhabi, a tourism hub with a world class infrastructure for motor racing.

The project was announced last year, while the construction work started a couple of months ago. The official foundation stone ceremony was held yesterday at a ceremony, which was attended by Ferrari President Luca Di Montezemolo; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Development Company; and Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman of Aldar Properties, besides Abu Dhabi's leading business executives.

When completed in 2009, the attraction will provide amusement for the whole family, featuring multi-format high tech theatres, a variety of sophisticated driving schools for both children and adults, Ferrari automotive displays and participatory learning centres as well as food and entertainment.

Among the 24 attractions, the park will offer a mix of high-octane and family rides with roller coasters jetting into the sky and dipping through the covered areas.

At the heart of the park will be an advanced and sophisticated circuit offering driving courses, which will be the home of the first Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in 2009.

During the Foundation Stone Ceremony a special time capsule was buried, containing a Conrod and Piston of the F2007, the F1 World Champion Ferrari car, together with the first artist's impression of the Ferrari Theme Park on YAS Island. The capsule will be then opened again at Ferrari's 100th anniversary, in 2047.

Part of a joint project between Italian automotive manufacturer Ferrari and Aldar Properties, the 250,000sqm park (80,000 of them covered) will be a unique oasis of discovery, hospitality and beauty that captures the culture, flavour and the true spirit of Italian country, as well as the legendary automotive history, feeling and heritage of Ferrari cars and racing.

"Today is a celebration of the first step along the way to make the world's first Ferrari theme park a reality, with the laying of the foundation stone," commented Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Chairman, Aldar Properties.

"An incredible level of real estate growth is taking place in Abu Dhabi, and it is our responsibility to deliver projects of the highest quality, while

protecting the natural, social and cultural assets of the Emirate. I am confident that the blend between the power and beauty of one of the world's leading brands,Ferrari, with Aldar's expertise in development and regional knowledge, will combine to create a destination that resonates with sports lovers around the world."

Ronald Barrot CEO of Aldar Properties told Khaleej Times that the company is planning to set up another Farreri Theme Park, without naming the country.

To a question about Astana's project inaugrated last week, he said it is being built by Al Maabar and would cost $2 billion.