Sharjah: The much-awaited Al Montazah amusement park will open on March 13 in Sharjah and a trial run is already under way, officials said on Sunday.
The sprawling 126,000-square-metre attraction is built on the site of the now-defunct Al Jazeera (Island) Park, surrounded by Khalid Lagoon.
The trial run includes visits by tourism, travel and hospitality officials to the destination, which is divided into a Water Park, Leisure Park and Green Park.
The soft opening aims to ensure safety standards are in place, especially in the Water Park and electronic games section, park developer Shurooq said in a statement.
Shurooq, also known as the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, has spent Dh100 million on the park. Its CEO, Marwan Al Sarkal, said: “The opening of Al Montazah is a new addition to tourism in Sharjah and the UAE, a move that will contribute to raising the flow of tourists into the emirate, particularly family tourism.”
He added that Al Montazah will receive a limited number of visitors during the trial. The park has the capacity to receive 3 million visitors a year.
Khalid Al Midfa, director general of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, expects people from across the UAE and the region to visit the park.
Its main attraction is the Water Park, a first for Sharjah, with a variety of rides operating under the watch of lifeguards.
The Green Park includes green spaces and venues for hosting entertainment and social events, as well as restaurants, a lake for boating, and a mosque.
The Leisure Park will include electronic games for all ages, a kart-racing track for adults and children, and two mini football pitches.
Shurooq is currently undertaking the development and management of a number of tourist, leisure and family-entertainment facilities in Sharjah, including Al Qasba, Al Majaz Waterfront and the Flag Island.
It is embarking on a range of new projects, such as the Heart of Sharjah, Al Jabal Resort, The Chedi Khor Fakkan and the Kalba Ecotourism project.
