Meydan awards prestigious building contract

The awarding of this prized contract is a major step in developing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Arabtec is a leading construction company in the UAE, and can include the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai, among its various landmark projects.

WCT Engineering is a globally-renowned Malaysian company, whose portfolio numbers the Formula 1 race tracks in Malaysia and Bahrain, and the new F1 circuit in Abu Dhabi, due for completion by 2009.

Those present at the signing ceremony, included the Arabtec Construction CEO, Mr Riad Burhan Kamal, WCT Engineering chairman Dato' Captain Ahmad Sufian, Meydan Chairman Mr Saeed H Al-Tayer, and fellow Meydan Board members, Mr Ahmad Al Shaikh and Mr Malih Lahej Al Basti.

Meydan Chairman Mr Saeed H Al-Tayer said: "Meydan is delighted to have secured the services of two of the world's finest construction companies."

"We look forward to working together with Arabtec Construction and WCT Engineering in developing His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's vision into what will be a landmark not just for Dubai, but for the rest of the world too."

"It is only six months since Meydan was revealed to the world and we are already moving at an astonishing pace."

"The piling process, which began in April, is coming to completion soon and Meydan is firmly on course for its opening at the 2010 Dubai World Cup meeting, the 15th renewal of the world's richest day's racing, when of course the big race itself will have a minimum purse of US$10 million."

The 1km-long grandstand building will be like no other in the world and its features include:

- capacity of 55,000 to 60,000
- five star-plus luxury hotel
- more than 10 restaurants
- Meydan Museum and Gallery
- covered car parking for more than 10,000
- home to the Dubai Racing Club and Emirates Racing Authority

Construction work on Meydan Racecourse will begin immediately and take two years to complete.

Other contracts scheduled to be announced soon include: the racecourse hotel operator, a state of the art Business Park, the construction of the dirt and turf racetracks and the 18-hole championship golf course.

In close proximity to Meydan Racecourse, is Meydan City - a self-contained community consisting of commercial and residential plots, retail outlets and arcades with canal, waterfront and promenade views.

Meydan Racecourse and Meydan City are being designed by leading Malaysian firm Teo A. Khing (TAK) Design Consultants.