Dubai: Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad Al Khalifa, Minister of the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Bahrain, yesterday officially opened Lost Paradise of Dilmun (Lost Paradise), part of Phase 1 of the $1.3 billion plus Al Areen Development, at a special ceremony at Al Areen, Bahrain.
Lost Paradise is the most recent high-tech water park in the Middle East, covering 77,000 square metres and featuring the very latest water park technology designed by Malaysia-based Sim Leisure Consultants, a leading water park designer.
Constructed and installed by Canada's Whitewater West, the water slides, wave pool and interactive structures are the newest in the Gulf.
Lost Paradise of Dilmun was launched at a press conference yesterday, attended by more than 400 invited VIPs and guests including ministers, ambassadors, shariah board members and members of the Royal Court. The Middle East's first fully-themed water park opens to the public today.
"We're very excited and proud to announce that the Kingdom of Bahrain's newest leisure destination is now open. Along with Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort - Al Areen and Al Areen Development, we are optimistic Lost Paradise will soon become one of the region's leading tourist and leisure destinations," said Esam Janahi, vice-chairman of Al Areen Holding Company.
The Lost Paradise of Dilmun is the second component in the unique $1.3 billion plus Al Areen Development and is located near to the high-end luxury Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort.
Spread over an area of two million square meters, Al Areen strengthens Bahrain's reputation as a leading luxurious family-oriented tourist destination.
The park is extensively themed around the Kingdom of Bahrain's rich cultural history, from a time 4,000 years ago when Bahrain was the centre of the Dilmun civilisation; a place with an abundance of water, springs and shallow wells; the legendary source of eternal life.
"Lost Paradise will not only act as the ideal leisure and entertainment destination for families in Bahrain but also those visiting from neighbouring GCC countries and from around the world," added chairman of Lost Paradise of Dilmun Muhannad Hamad.
Divided into six zones, the park features 14 slides, pools and fountains, as well as themed food and drink outlets serving freshly-made Arab and Western fast food specialties and ice creams.
Visitors are greeted by the park mascots, Delmo & Delma and an array of slides, including the Falcons' Dive, the giant Superbowl, Boomerango and the Family Raft Ride, the park's tallest water slide seating four people.
Extensive landscape
'The Souq', another unique feature of the park, is a 1,000 square metre retail area selling branded merchandise and souvenirs, resort wear and swimwear.
Commenting on the uniqueness of the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, Hamad added: "What makes the Lost Paradise of Dilmun unique is that in addition to the unrivalled attraction of 'Dilmun Artesian Spring', recreating the idea of Bahrain's ancient springs, Lost Paradise has the largest wave pool in the Middle East and the only one with a sandy beach, an attraction for visitors of all ages."
The pool is enclosed by replicas of Dilmun ruins designed with thatched, shaded lounge areas and extensive landscaping. For children there is a large interactive wet play area, with an extensive range of theme-based play equipment offering a dozen slides, water sprays, water curtains, mini tip buckets and a host of knobs, swivels and levers to adjust and direct a series of jets and sprays.
