The developer of Qatar’s first water-themed park, Hala Group Enterprises yesterday signed an agreement with Kuwait-based Al Jazera Entertainment Enterprises Company which will manage the park.

The water park will be spread over 100,000sq m on Salwa Road.

The Kuwaiti firm will manage the leisure facility for five years.

“The project is being developed in line with the Qatari government’s policy to boost tourism in the country,” Hala Group chief executive officer Abdullah Hassan al-Ghanem said.

“Al Jazera has owned and operated a water park in Kuwait since 1995 and has extensive experience and know-how of managing such a project,” Al Jazera general manager and board member Mohamed Abdulraza Khourshed said.

Located 16km from the Industrial Area roundabout, the water park’s first phase will open in April, Hala Group general manager Ijaz Malik said.

Speaking to Gulf Times, Khourshed said a team of certified staff including life guards will be hired for the park. There will be dedicated days for women and families, he said.

“The business hours will be 10am to 10pm, seven days a week, while Fridays will be earmarked for families. Starting summer in June, there will also be a ladies’ day on Tuesdays,” he said.

The park, concept and construction of which is being provided by Cyprus-based Aqua Masters, will feature a giant “wave pool”, a “lazy river”, an activity pool, a multiple slides complex, a family pool, an exotic village and a “dry” corner in the first phase.

In later phases, more rides and features such as go-carts will be included.

Adjacent to the aqua park will be a 300,000sq m resort, currently under construction and expected to be completed in June 2011.  - Source