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Dubai Parks & Resorts Phase 1 stays on track

30% of infrastructure development complete

More than 1,500 personnel have been deployed to develop an initial area of approximately 25 million square feet at Phase 1 of Dubai Parks & Resorts. — Supplied photo

Dubai Parks & Resorts recently announced that Phase 1 of the multibillion dollar entertainment and leisure destination has made significant progress with the engagement of a number of world class contractors and consultants.

The development has been designed with the expertise of leading industry firms such as Rabben Herman, Gensler, HOK, RTKL, Forrec and Riva Creative. In addition, consultants including CH2M Hill and Samsung SDS have provided infrastructure design. The overall master plan has been approved by the relevant government authorities.

More than 1,500 personnel have been deployed to develop an initial area of approximately 25 million square feet at Phase 1 of Dubai Parks & Resorts. The number of workers on site is expected to increase four-fold by 2015. With nearly 30 per cent of the infrastructure development already complete, work on the power substation has registered 35 per cent headway while excavation work for the district cooling facility has also commenced.

Program management firm Samsung C&T is overseeing the overall progress of the project to ensure its components adhere to scheduled timelines and budgets, while Kier Group is building the utilities component. ETA has been engaged for the power sub-station project and National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) mandated to set up the district cooling facility.

Besix Orascom is responsible for the majority of the Legoland Dubai building works, Laing O’Rourke and Al Futtaim Carillion for a large part of Motiongate Dubai, and ARCO General Contracting for Bollywood Parks. Hill International has also been contracted to manage the production and installation of all shows and rides, and provide construction management consultancy services for Phase 1 of Dubai Parks & Resorts.

Raed Al Nuaimi, CEO of Dubai Parks & Resorts, said: “A mega project such as Dubai Parks & Resorts requires partners that have a strong track record in developing and delivering leisure and entertainment concepts of this scale. Following a stringent bidding process we have selected consultants and contractors with whom we are working closely to deliver an entertainment experience that brings to life the UAE leadership’s vision of positioning Dubai as a leading global tourist destination.”

Launched under the directive of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Parks & Resorts has been designed as a mega leisure and entertainment destination to serve the regions that are within a four hour flying distance from Dubai. Taking shape at Jebel Ali, the first phase of Dubai Parks & Resorts will comprise three theme parks: Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and Legoland Dubai. The development will also feature Riverpark — a grand entrance plaza and Lapita, a family themed hotel. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2016.

— business@khaleejtimes.com