THE Sports Boulevard Foundation has awarded contracts worth SR2.5 billion ($665 million) to multiple Saudi companies for the construction of Phase One of its ambitious wellness project in the capital Riyadh.

 A major health and wellness project, Sports Boulevard is one of the four wellbeing projects being planned by the Saudi government in the heart of the kingdom’s capital at an investment of $23 billion.

 Along with King Salman Park, Green Riyadh and Riyadh Art, it complements Saudi Vision 2030’s ‘Quality of Life’ programme and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Launched by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz in 2019, these four wellbeing projects aim to make Riyadh one of the world’s most livable cities. These projects are expected to jointly offer opportunities worth $15 billion for the private sector to invest in the residential, commercial, recreational and wellness areas.

 A first-of-its-kind project in the region, Sports Boulevard will feature a 135-km-long professional cycling track covering the city and the surrounding valleys. It will connect the Wadi Hanifah valley in the west with Wadi Al Sulai valley in the east through Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Road. It features green pedestrian pathways, special routes for professional and amateur cyclists (135 and 90 km respectively), and horse-riding routes (123 kms).

 Sports Boulevard boasts nine key components: Hanifah Valley Zone, Art Zone, Al Yasen Zone - Recreational Zone, Sports Zone, The Sports Tower, Environmental Zone, Al Sulai Valley Zone, Sand Dunes Park Zone.

 Adding 3.5 million sq m of new open space across the city, Sports Boulevard will also feature a sports pavilion, riding stables and athletics tracks, accommodating a wide variety of sports activities.