Gulf Construction Online - BBI, Al Mabani to build Six Flags theme park

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Six Flags theme park ... to take shape at Qiddiya.

BBI, Al Mabani to build Six Flags theme park

01 January 2022

A joint venture of French building and civil engineering projects pioneer Bouygues Batiment International (BBI) and Saudi Almabani General Contractors has been awarded a SR3.75-billion ($998.6 million) contract by Saudi-based Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) for the construction of its Six Flags theme park, a first in the region.

The theme park will be a key destination for Qiddiya on the outskirts of the Saudi capital. The destination city that is currently under development, will offer innovative experiences in entertainment, sports and arts. The theme park will cover an area of 320,000 sq m and will feature 28 rides and attractions of which 10 will be thrill rides, with 18 rides designed for families and young children.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by officials from both companies at the Qiddiya Experience Centre and was followed by a ground-breaking inauguration to simultaneously mark the official start of construction.

QIC Managing Director Abdullah Aldawood said: “With this signing, we are embarking on major steps towards building the kingdom’s future destination for entertainment, sports and the arts. We are pleased to collaborate with leading construction companies, like Bouygues Bâtiment International, and we look forward to build Six Flags Qiddiya together, delivering a world-class theme park with several exciting new ride concepts.”

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Selim Bassoul said: “We are pleased that our first theme park outside North America will be part of what will become the iconic entertainment destination in Saudi Arabia. Six Flags’ brand of thrills and entertainment is perfect for the youthful population around Riyadh and in the Middle East, and our park will help the city’s quest to become one of the best places to live in the world.”

BBI, a subsidiary of French construction giant Bouygues Construction, expressed delight at winning the contract.

“We are grateful to have been selected with our partner Almabani for the Six Flags theme park at the Qiddiya giga-project, which will become a major entertainment hub in the Middle East. Six Flags Qiddiya is an incredible opportunity for BBI to express our expertise both in terms of supporting our Client with export finance solutions and of construction of complex infrastructures,” remarked its CEO Pierre-Eric Saint-André.

Almabani General Contractors CEO Joseph Daher said: “Over the years, we have worked with leading names in Saudi Arabia across various sectors – be it housing, aviation, military, power or transportation. To be awarded the construction contract to build a first-of-its-kind theme park in the kingdom is a great honour – and we are thrilled to be on board with Qiddiya.”

The theme park will be home to five signature rides that will break 10 world records including: Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster; Sirocco Tower, the world’s tallest, free-standing shot tower ride; Gyrospin, the world’s tallest pendulum ride; Spitfire, the world’s tallest inverted top hat coaster; and Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster.

The rides and attractions at the theme park will be spread across six immersive lands.