Gudaibiya Park facelift on target

By RASHA AL QAHTANI
THE first phase of a BD150,000 renovation of the dilapidated Gudaibiya Park has been completed. Full plans include new children's play equipment, a games hall for youngsters, landscaping and new fences and paths.
The first phase involved creating a soccer field, on which local teams have already started playing. Work is being carried out by the Manama Municipality and supervised by the Manama Municipal Council.
Councillor Tariq Mohammed Taha Shaikh Mohammed Saleh said the park would be completely revamped in the second phase of the project. "Everything in it will be removed and replaced," he said.
"We will remove the sand, the old fence, the old broken bricks from passages, the trees that can be a hazard, dead grass and old shades."
Mr Saleh said a hall would be built for youngsters with pool tables and arcade games. Electricity will be connected to the park, to light it.
"Previously the place was dark and visitors had to depend on the street lights to see," said Mr Saleh.
"We will also instal new floodlights around the park to make the place brighter and more appealing and presentable."
Mr Saleh said that the park would also feature a 30-space car park and a new section for children. "It will have games, slides and swings, in addition to seats especially designed for children," he said.
"The park also includes other necessary facilities, such as toilets for disabled people, since the council takes them into consideration in every project it implements.
"The park is just the beginning and the success of our co-operation will hopefully continue with future projects."
Mr Saleh said Gudaybiya residents had been asking for the renovation of the park for a long time." "Gudaibiya is the only area in the Capital Governorate without a proper park and residents are either forced to go to parks elsewhere or sit at home," he said. The park will also have a hi-tech irrigation system, to keep the grass green.