Stargate Theme Park, a Dh280 million ($76.2 million) family edutainment facility currently being undertaken at Zabeel Park, would be operational in March 2009.

Stargate family edutainment centre is designed with the ideal mix of world class education and wholesome family entertainment.

The project is constructed and themed in the form of a spaceship and covers a total area of 260,000 sq ft in the jewel of Dubai parks, Zabeel Park, which occupies a total area of 52 hectares.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting director general of Dubai Municipality, toured the facility on Monday to inspect progress of work at this significant project which is undertaken by Osus, a property developer, as per a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) contract with Dubai Municipality.

He said the project is an example of an effective government-private sector partnership in offering the best recreational services for the city residents in addition to creating hundreds of new job opportunities for them.

"This is a unique hi-tech, mid-size and mixed-use themed family edutainment centre. It is the largest of its kind in the entire Middle East and will be a perfect addition to a large array of ambitious projects lined up in Dubai," said Lootah.

The overall concept of the theme park was created around two animated characters called Ajeeb and Ghareeb, who captain a spaceship code named Stargate.

Their spaceship lands rather heavily in Zabeel Park, with half of the spaceship lodged underground.
 
The adventures and antics of Ajeeb and Ghareeb will form the cornerstone of Stargate's marketing strategy, which will naturally be driven towards both children and adults but specifically teenies and tweenies, those around the 4 to 14 age group.

The main attractions are spread across five domes of fun, each one offering a unique experience, from "D3D" to 2D and 3D shows with interactive 3D games.

There is also "No Speed Limit" a high-speed electric Go-Karting and a head-spinning family rollercoaster appropriately called the "Spinning Earth" along with the "9D Journey" a 2D + 3D + 4D virtual rides in a row with one admission.

Other features include the Children's Academy, the Bermuda Triangle of hi-tech mazes and the fun filled Leisure Triangle.

An ideal social rendezvous, Stargate offers a multi-cuisine food court under a magnificent glazed pyramid which provides a natural ambience, both day and night.

Stargate also houses the "Space Mall" offering a complete shopping experience exclusively for children in a futuristic setting.-TradeArabia News Service