Splashing out!

Olympic ambitions of the kingdom's sport lovers will come a step closer to reality with the launch of the world-class Shaikh Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town.

A first of its kind in Bahrain, the landmark facility has been developed to international standards and is expected to play host to major sports events in the region.

The BD9.2 million project, constructed on a total area of 80,000sq/m at the former Isa Town Sports Stadium, has a main grandstand with seating capacity for 3,500 spectators, overlooks a football pitch and racing track and also boasts an indoor multi-purpose sports hall and swimming hall.

Phase one of the project is complete and the Ministry of Works is in the process of handing over the facility to the General Organisation for Youth and Sports (GOYS) shortly.

Ghazi Al-Saleh, director of strategic projects at the Ministry of Works, said: "We are proud to announce the completion of Shaikh Khalifa Sports City, which has been constructed according to international standards using state-of-the-art technology.

"This is another strategic project which is aligned with the Ministry's mission of providing public works services to enhance the quality of life for the people of Bahrain. We are confident that the project is going to be a landmark as a venue for sporting activities and events, positioning the kingdom as a leader in this area."

One of the most exciting features is the first of its kind swimming hall in Bahrain that has a lapping pool and diving pool built to the International Swimming Federation's standards.

The facilities have an equal number of changing rooms, showers, restrooms and gyms for male and female athletes and supporting amenities such as a hydrotherapy pool and medical examination rooms in an onsite health centre.

Haitham Ali Al Shurooqi, director technical affairs at GOYS, said: "This is a great gift to Bahrain from our Prime Minister ... there is no comparable facility here."

The Shaikh Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town has incorporated both Arabic and modern elements in its design and layout.

With seven access points, well appointed parking spaces, pleasant colours and green spaces, the facility promises a healthy sporting experience for contestants and spectators alike.

"This is the first facility in the kingdom that combines all facilities like swimming, indoor and outdoor activities and track. We hope this will help us win not only many more Olympic medals but also develop and encourage many more Bahraini sporting heroes," said Haitham Ali Al Shurooqi, director of technical affairs at GOYS.

"Currently, top swimmers have to use private facilities, the University of Bahrain or train in Saudi Arabia and this will all change with the opening of our sports city.

"We are developing the outside stadium to have the best lighting in the Gulf. A specialised time keeping technology using touch pads will be installed both in the pool and on the track. A new giant screen, again, the first in the kingdom, will be installed for providing entertainment and live information.

"We are now in the process of getting a facility management company and working on ideas to help market the facility."

Built in the same space as the old Isa Town Sports Stadium, the new venue is composed of a main grandstand, a multipurpose sports hall and a swimming hall.

All spaces have been equipped with appropriate lighting and speaker systems.

Maryam Hussain Al-Yahya, of the architectural and civil engineering section of the Ministry of Works, said: "We have also taken into consideration the cultural aspects of our country.

There are equal facilities provided to both men and women.

"We consider Bahrain TV as one of the stakeholders and they contributed to the discussions for the provisions of press booths. In the multi-purpose hall 10 rooms have been dedicated to the media.

"The surrounding area of the Sports City has been recently developed by the Ministry of Works to enhance pedestrian and vehicular movements in the area.

"All safety requirements are as per international standards with an evacuation plan prepared in co-ordination with the Civil Defence Directorate. Doors have been placed strategically so that the hall can be evacuated in eight minutes.

"A lot of sweat has gone into this project which had, during the peak of construction, around 450 to 500 people working on it. In the last two years we are happy to say that it has been incident free, which is a very big achievement."

The old grandstand was demolished to build a new one. It has a VVIP lounge, 200 VIP seats, 100 seats for special visitors, athletes and club officials and 3,050 spectator seats. Four press and speaker rooms for observers and journalists have been built into the grandstand.

In the second phase of development, that is expected to be completed by the end of 2010 with a budget of around BD2 million, the artificial turf on the football pitch will be replaced with natural grass and the existing racing track and football seats upgraded.

The multi-purpose sports hall that can seat 3,500 spectators including 250 VIPs has been designed to host mid-size competitions in handball, basketball, badminton and volleyball. It has two separate squash courts, a winner's podium, 10 rooms and two TV stands for the media.

The specialised sports lighting in the hall has been designed to suit international standards and can be adjusted for training purposes and for actual tournaments.

Textile turfing has been introduced on the roof to minimise damage in the long run.

The swimming hall houses two Olympic-sized pools for lapping and diving that conform to the International Swimming Federation's requirements. The lapping pool of approximately 50x22x2 m and diving pool of approximately 25x21x5 metres has water that is filtered, chemically-treated and heated for professional use.

On the sides are seating bleachers for spectators and the area has provisions for cameras.

Special types of AC equipment, designed to maintain the required humidity, moisture and temperature of the room, have been installed.

Tilke and Partners WLL, who were involved with the creation of the Bahrain International Circuit and are currently working on the new Abu Dhabi F1 venue, have been consultants on this project which has been built by Mohammed Jalal Contracting.