Ice Land Water Park celebrates anniversary: announces developments

Ice Land Water Park has celebrated its first anniversary, announcing plans for expansion and plans to open similar facilities in Abu Dhabi and Thailand.

Expansion of the 25-acre theme and waterpark in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is already underway with an ice-skating rink, bowling alley, multiplex cinema, themed restaurant, 180-room seaside resort, and shopping mall set to be comepleted in the next six months.

The $100 million attraction is part of WowRaK, a 120-acre family entertainment destination that includes a resort and shopping mall. It is jointly owned by Polo RAK Amusements, which owns 49% and local government, which holds a 51% stake through the RAK Investment Authority and RAK Properties PJSC.

The new resort will have a night-stay option, conference facilities and a host of activities to complement the water-park experience such as charter fishing trips, day cruises and night cruises with dinner and onboard recreation.

Polo RAK Amusements Managing Director Santokh Chawla told Gulf News "Ice Land was inaugurated when the world was facing a major economic downturn. But this did not deter us. From a moderate start, we have seen rapid growth in the number of visitors."

Announcing plans for similar attractions in Abu Dhabi and Thailand, Chawla added "we are in the stage of preparing the business plan, so the investment plan would be revealed at a later stage."

When it opened, Ice Land was lauded as a tourism product and criticised for making a gimmick of global warming with its Arctic theme and 400,000 litre waterfall in a country that suffers water shortages.

However, the new parks received 300,000 vistors over the year while Chawla adds "water conservation is of prime importance and we have a recyling plant to reuse all water and there is no wastage."

A YouTube video of the water park can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnCtRvDghno

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