Saudi Arabia: Next Step in Qiddiya Project – Construction of Water Park Awarded, More Details Revealed

Last December, a SAR 3.75 billion (approx. EUR 882 million, USD 998 million) building contract for the construction of Six Flags Qiddiya marked the official start of construction of the theme park, awarded to a joint venture consisting of Bouygues Bâtiment International (BBI) and Saudi Almabani General Contractors. Now, yesterday’s symbolic groundbreaking ceremony also marked the start of construction of the Qiddiya Water Theme Park, which will be one of the main entertainment attractions of the future leisure destination (find our last report from 13 Jan 2021 here). The construction, commissioned to a joint venture between ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering & Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting, amounts to a total of SAR 2.8 billion (approx. EUR 660 million, USD 750 million).

The water park will cover an area of 25.2 hectares (by comparison the planned area of the Six Flags park: 32 hectares) and will feature a total of 22 rides and attractions, including nine world’s firsts. Also, nine designated themed areas – “Entry Gate”, “Camel Rock”, “Dub Grotto”, “Wave Wadi”, “the Den”, “Viper Canyon”, “Arabian Peak”, “the Herding Grounds” and “Surf Lagoon” – will be thematically inspired by animals native to the region.

In addition to rides and attractions, the water park’s offerings will include state-of-the-art water sports facilities and 17 F&B and retail outlets. The water park also plans to contribute to sustainability, using advanced environmental systems to significantly reduce water consumption compared to other water parks and captured, treated rainwater to irrigate the destination. Together with the Six Flags park, the Qiddiya Water Theme Park is part of the first development phase and the “Parks & Attractions” area of the leisure destination being built near the Saudi capital Riyadh. (eap)