The $50 million Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park will open to the public on Monday (September 3, 2007).

Park sales and marketing director Mohammed Ali said the facility, believed to be the biggest of its kind in the Middle East, would be unveiled to the public following an exclusive media launch the day before.

Press from across the Gulf have been invited to the day-long event, which will include an opening ceremony and a tour of the park.

Further details, including ticket prices and timings, are being kept secret until a Press conference on Sunday.

The water park, which features some of the world's largest aquatic high-tech rides, is one of the main parts of the mixed-use $1 billion Al Areen Development Project.

It aims to provide a modern, hi-tech, family recreation facility that will also recapture the ancient history of Bahrain by integrating the Dilmun period into the park's theme.

Located near the Bahrain International Circuit, the park, which spans 77,000sq m, will be able to handle up to 5,000 guests per day.

The attraction is expected to pull in 200,000 visitors a year and will have about 20,000sqm for future expansion and car parking. It will help to create around 150 new jobs.

The park will include slides and pools, a family raft ride, a wave pool, a spa pool, suq, restaurants and shaded parking for up to 650 vehicles.

Fully qualified lifeguards will be based at every attraction and the park will also have a staffed first aid station as well as male and female prayer rooms.

It has been designed and will be operated by Malaysian-based company Sim Leisure Consultants.

Among its many features will be the Dilmun Artesian Spring, recreating the idea of Bahrain's ancient springs and replicas of Dilmun ruins will be set up with thatched shaded lounging areas.- TradeArabia News Service