RAK unveils model of new AED 850 million theme park

The replica model of the 120-acre WOW RAK, a multipart entertainment venue and theme park currently under construction at the Khor Qurm region in RAK, was unveiled at a function held at Manar Mall here last evening.

The theme park, being built under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is promoted by Polo RAK Amusements LLC- a joint venture company between Polo Amusement Park Ltd from India, RAK Investment Authority and RAK Properties.

WOW RAK would include two adjacent theme parks- Ice Land Water Park and Planet Earth Theme Park with a capacity to cater to 15,000 visitors per day, apart from a 12,000 sq. metre shopping mall and entertainment plaza and a Kabana resort. The water park would be ready for public by May 2008 while the entire theme park would be completed in 24 months.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khater Massaad, Advisor to RAK Crown Prince and CEO of RAK Investment Authority, said that the theme park project was part of RAK Government's strategy to transform the Emirate into a premier tourism destination in the region. "We are in the process of enhancing the hotel infrastructure available in the Emirate and is also making efforts to provide world- class entertainment options by undertaking projects like this mega theme park," he added.

Balwant Singh, Managing Director and CEO of the Polo RAK JV said, "WOW RAK theme park which is being built over an area of 120 acres would be an epicentre for entertainment, leisure and recreation by making available many unique attractions for the first time in the region".

He said that the Ice Land Water Park, spread over 30 acres and featuring a snow theme, would house the world's largest man- made waterfall. The waterfall will be 160 metres wide and cascades from a height of 35 metres. Water would plunge down from a towering cliff at a rate of 100,000 litres per minute. The water park would also have the world's largest rain dance pool spread over 6000 square metres, complete with pulsating music and showers.

It would also feature 26 water slides emerging from specially designed snow capped mountain environment. The other major attractions of the water theme park would be an aqua soccer pool, coral reefs and a special Kiddie Water Park where all water slides would be available for kids in miniature form.

The project would also have a Kabana Resort nearby with 70 Kabana style rooms on the beach front to cater to discerning customers seeking the luxury and comfort of a resort.

The Planet Earth Theme Park, spread over 24 acres, would feature five theme zones each representing an Earth element- Oceanic, Cosmos, Mountain, Jungle and Desert. Each zone would provide an adventure experience with other recreational elements designed and themed to suit the particular theme of the zone. All the zones and recreation areas have been designed to alleviate heat with the use of water bodies, greenery, mist, snow and ice and air conditioned environments.

The Mountain Zone would offer a river rafting experience through the mountains and would feature a snow house with winter theme attractions like ice sliders and a snow play area. The Oceanic Zone would have a water chute as the anchor attraction that would take visitors through a live aquarium creating an underwater experience.

In addition to the theme parks, the venue would also house Mall of Ras Al Khaimah, a 12,000 square metre shopping mall and entertainment plaza which will offer 120 merchandising outlets for gifts, curios and handicrafts with live performances by artisans from across the world. The venue would also have multiplex, ice skating, gaming arcade, bowling alley, indoor golf and food courts.

Mohammed Sultan Al Qadi, CEO of RAK Properties, and a number of dignitaries were present at the function.

Polo Amusement Park Limited is an India- based company with over 16 years of experience as owners and operators of Amusement and Water parks. It owns and operates two of India's premier amusement and water parks under the brand name Fun N Food Village in New Delhi and Nagpur. The Company is currently developing another theme park in the Republic of Uzbekistan.