Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has awarded a contract worth $750 million to build Saudi Arabia's first water theme park. The contract was awarded to a joint venture between ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering and Contracting Company and El Seif Engineering Contracting Company. Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be one of Qiddiya's main entertainment attractions, covering an area of 252,000 square meters. A statement from QIC said it will have 22 rides and attractions, nine of which will be world firsts.

When complete, visitors will be able to enjoy nine areas - Entry Gate, Camel Rock, Dub Grotto, WaveWadi, Den, Viper Canyon, Arabian Peak, Herding Grounds and Sur fLagoon. The agreement was signed by Qiddiya's Managing Director Abdullahbin Nasser Aldawood, ALEC's CEO Kez Taylor and El Seif's CEO Ahmed Al Bassam at a ceremony at the Qiddiya Experience Centre, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction .

“Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be a year-round immersive family entertainment destination, a first of its kind, offering an experience never before seen in Saudi Arabia. We are delighted to partner with industry leaders such as ALEC and ElSeif, who will use the latest of guest experience technology to create a park sure to become one of the greatest water theme parks in the world. The park will give our guests an opportunity to experience this in an environment that is welcoming and fun for everyone,” said Aldawood. Keywords: engineering construction, engineering news

The park will also feature competitive water sports facilities and 17 dining and retail outlets. Its design will incorporate advanced environmental systems to minimise water use through recycling and smart use in line with QIC's sustainable practices. The statement explained that this will maximize visitor enjoyment while significantly reducing the amount of water required for the park's operations. Some rides use up to 75% less water than the more traditional rides in other water parks. In addition, the QIC concluded that rainwater falling on site will be collected, treated and reused for irrigation destinations.Editor/XingWentao