A BD20-million ($51.6 million) theme park that includes Bahrain’s first full-size ice arena and indoor ski slope is due to be built in Muharraq after around two years of delays.

This follows an agreement signed between Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka’abi and Bahraini investor Fouad Shuwaitar, said a report in the Gulf Daily News.

The Muharraq Municipal Council voted to axe the project in June, but did a U-turn in September after a new consortium came in to fund the development.

Councillors were hesitant to give the Bahraini investor the go-ahead after a first group of GCC partners withdrew, but he managed to replace them with Indian group Golden Globe Trading and Consultancy Services.

Dr Al Ka’abi said the investor would lease the land for 30 years. The project will go ahead at the Muharraq Grand Garden, near Bahrain International Airport, and will include a three-storey shopping centre, business centre and multi-purpose convention and exhibition centre.

Additionally, it would have an indoor sports arena, outdoor pitches, aquatic museum, karting track, mosque and an elderly home and is expected to be ready in around two-and-a-half years.

The park, covering an area of 93,618 sq m, will also feature restaurants, a fitness club and gymnasium, family rest areas and amusement rides.

Shuwaitar said that fencing work would begin at the site, but work would not start in full swing until February next year.

Meanwhile, Golden Globe president Mohammad Zaman said this was his first project in Bahrain, but not the last.

“We have plans for new residential projects with other Bahraini partners, but our focus now is on the success of the park project,” he said.

“The costs may increase from the current BD20 million ($51.6 million) depending on further additions that we may feel are necessary in line with people’s demands and needs,” Zaman added.

Syrconsult International Bahrain is the consulting engineer.