Abu Dhabi seeks investors for events venue

Abu Dhabi is seeking private investors for a major new entertainment venue planned for the city's Khalifa Park. 

Abu Dhabi City Municipality has advised that it is to issue a tender inviting private sector investors to finance, develop and operate under a lease arrangement a 'world class events and family entertainment venue'.

The events venue will cover over 200,000 metre2 of Khalifa Park with plans to start operating from October through to March 2015.

A statement cited by news agency WAM said the venue will attract an estimated 1.5-2 million people over the six month period.

The statement added: "Abu Dhabi is experiencing a healthy growth in tourism and has already delivered a number of landmark entertainment projects. Entertainment activities of this nature will represent exceptional value for money providing an opportunity to grow what shall start as an entertainment event, into a permanent and sustainable family destination."

At 80 acres in size, equivalent of twice the size of Universal Studios, Florida, Abu Dhabi officials said Khalifa Park provides an "ideal location" for the venue.

The venue will feature a number of attractions oriented towards family' entertainment including large-scale amusement rides, a full calendar of shows, retail pavilions and food and beverage outlets.

Another key attraction will be the Circus, which will offer the best in shows, displays and spectacular acts brought from various countries worldwide.

The statement said "this initiative demonstrates the Municipality's continued efforts to deliver high quality projects that further boost city image and added amenities of Abu Dhabi.

"Private sector investors are able to play an active role in developing exciting features and landmarks by bringing expertise and international standards to an initiative that offers sustainable returns on investment."

Click here to view the Khalifa Park Entertainment Event Tender Announcement in the tenders and auctions section of the Abu Dhabi City Municipality website.

Submissions must be made by 29th April 2014.

24th April 2013 - FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COMPLETED AT ABU DHABI’S YAS MALL

12th May 2012 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER DU SECURES HISTORIC ARABIAN GULF VENUE NAMING RIGHTS DEAL