As part of a nation-wide plan to utilise the country's shores for recreational purposes, Bahrain officials will soon open two new public beaches in Manama and Ma'ameer as well as a corniche in Muharraq, according to the Municipalities and Agriculture minister, Mansoor bin Rajab.
The Ma'ameer beach project will be carried out to provide a sandy beach and other facilities in an area of around 45 sq km. “The project will focus on making the area greener and decrease the levels of pollution. It will be a model in efforts to boost ecological tourism as well as offering ideal recreational facilities,” said the minister.
The project will feature play areas and an area which will be open to investors to open restaurants, gaming facilities and multi-purpose halls. A one-kilometer walkway will lead to the facilities as well as many green areas. Other facilities include an open amphitheatre, a jetty and a monument highlighting the importance of preserving the environment.
Presently, all relevant procedures are in the process of being finalised, Rajab said. He added that a new beach stretching from the Marina Club to an area near the Bahrain Financial Harbour will also open soon..
It will feature a musical fountain at the centre of the beach, walkway stretching along the entire coast, green areas, restaurants, playgrounds and a video games hall.
Work on the Khalifa Grand Corniche is scheduled to end soon at the shore stretching from the Waterfall Monument intersection to the Abdulrahman Al Fadhel intersection in Muharrarq.
The project will cover an area of one sq km, including a 1km by 5km walkway and a garden covering the entire corniche.
He said that the projects were part of a general strategy to create a number of public beaches that will be easily accessible to citizens and residents at various parts of the country.
They include the King Hamad Beach; stretching from the Bahrain Fort to the Northern Town, Budaiya Beach and Abu Subh Beach.
They will feature a variety of facilities, including swimming pools, football and volleyball fields, horse riding and stables, shacks, jetties, gardens, playgrounds, barbecue and cycling areas, walkway and a heritage village.