SHARJAH // The new Al Montazah park is due to open next month after a Dh100 million revamp.
Formerly known as Al Jazeera park, it has increased in size and now covers 126,000 square metres, with water and amusement parks, picnic areas and places for people to exercise.
The park aims to be one of the emirate’s main attractions alongside Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Qasba and the Heart of Sharjah project.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qassimi, chairwoman of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said the redevelopment improved the emirate’s economic, social, and tourist offerings.
“Shurooq has been keen to ensure that the design and redevelopment of Al Montazah adheres to the highest standards so as to meet the emirate’s needs in leisure and tourist attractions,” she said.
“Upon completion, it will become a new tourist destination in terms of quality, design, amenities and high-quality services that will richly add to Sharjah’s and the UAE’s cap of tourist landmarks and enhance the country’s presence on the local and regional tourist map.”
Al Jazeera park opened in 1979 and covered 13,000 sq m on an island in Khalid Lagoon, opposite Sharjah Central Market.
The new park covers almost all of the island, which has been renamed Flag Island.
Al Montazah park is divided into three main sections – a 26,000 sq m water park, a Green Park for picnics and events covering 50,000 sq m, and the Leisure Park that includes a kart-racing track, two miniature football pitches and areas for other sports.
Marwan Al Sarkal, chief executive of Shurooq, said more than a million visitors are expected during the park’s first year.
“Al Montazah has the capacity to receive around three million visitors a year and we expect the number of visitors will increase considerably over the next few years,” he said.
Shurooq, the investment arm of Sharjah’s Government, seeks to provide a modern lifestyle that embodies the growth witnessed by the emirate and the evolution of life there, said Sheikha Bodour.
“Shurooq’s aim is to meet the demands of the emirate’s citizens and residents by providing a range of facilities, as well as exceptional tourist and leisure services, throughout the year,” she said.
Duarte Marques, founder of Amusement WhiteWater, the company behind the water and leisure park areas, said Al Montazah would provide world-class facilities for the people of Sharjah.
“The brief from Shurooq was that we should maintain green areas and consider the history of the old Jazeera Park as well as respect the culture and heritage of Sharjah, while providing a place where families can enjoy themselves in a safe and friendly environment,” he said.
Last year, Sharjah Municipality launched a Dh22m project to redevelop Rolla Square park. The 3.7 hectare space will feature seven fountains and a cafeteria in the shape of a tree. Sixty per cent of its space will be green areas.
ykakande@thenational.ae
