JEDDAH, 5 October - Al-Sawari Group plans to build an ice-skating arena of international standards in Jeddah, said a top official of the group.
Rida ibn Hussein Basha, chairman of the group, said that "the facility, the first of its kind in the Kingdom and possibly the largest in the Middle East which will also have 16 bowling alleys, will be constructed over an area of 17,000 square meters on Prince Sultan Street." It will be commissioned by early summer next year, he added. The facility, which is expected to attract one and a half million visitors a year, will also comprise a new branch for the Fun Marina amusement center for children and families, a restaurant, a health club, and commercial show rooms.
The skating arena where skating tournaments can be held, will be built using the latest technology following international specifications, he said. Basha hoped the new sport in Jeddah will help develop the tourist industry in the city. There will be specially trained coaches and supervisors at the facility to train interested people on a scientific basis using modern techniques, he added. He expressed his hope that the game, which is popular among children and youths in other countries, will become highly popular in Jeddah.
