Hulhumalé Water Theme Park Work Re-Awarded, to Conclude Within 18 Months

Physical work on the stalled water theme park in Hulhumalé has been awarded to a developer and will be completed within a year to 18 months at most, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced today. 

The announcement came during a press conference today, in response to a reporter raising public concerns regarding the acute lack of recreation centres, malls, and entertainment venues for youth and families to spend quality time together, though the President did not specify which developer had been awarded the project.

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Assuring that the administration is prioritising such spaces, the President explained that the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has finalised arrangements to advance the water park in a manner similar to the recently resolved STO building project, with HDC’s managing director confirming that on-site work will resume soon.

Beyond the water park, he pledged that multiple large-scale recreational facilities will open across the Greater Malé region within his current term. In Hulhumalé, developments include a spacious modern bowling arena, an indoor futsal complex, a matching indoor netball complex, international-standard tournament and practice grounds, comprehensive sports complexes across Phase 1 and Phase 2, and a dedicated go-kart arena.

In the capital, land and funding have been finalised to construct an arcade gaming centre and an indoor children’s sports hub on cleared plots along Buruzu Magu near the SHE building, while an e-gaming centre is underway at Sultan Park, all targeting completion within the next year to 18 months. Addressing the planned racing and drifting arena, the President acknowledged project delays stemming from land reclamation and rock boulder revetment requirements, but affirmed earlier obstacles are being overcome.

The President also confirmed that construction on the surfing stadium at the Raalhugandu area is advancing, while reiterating that the cricket stadium donated by Pakistan will be built.

Outlining the overhaul of Galolhu National Stadium, he announced plans to demolish ground-level retail shops to widen the street into a shaded pedestrian pathway, strip and replace the pitch turf, and reconstruct damaged bleachers to create a modern multi-purpose venue for football, athletics, and cultural entertainment.

Initially announced by HDC in 2017 as part of former President Abdulla Yameen’s urban youth development agenda, the water park project was contracted to Waterfront Hotel and Leisure Company with an estimated investment of USD 25 million (MVR 38.5 million). 

The original plan encompassed a wide array of water slides, children’s pools, and family attractions alongside a 50-room, six-storey leisure hotel. Although slated for completion by late 2018, the venture faced prolonged delays—further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving extensive concrete structures abandoned on-site.

In August 2022, HDC formally terminated the contract due to lack of progress and ordered the developer to vacate the premises within 30 days. Waterfront Hotel and Leisure Company subsequently filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the eviction, but the Civil Court rejected the request for a stay order. 

The project also came under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission over alleged irregularities in its procurement, land lease conditions, and hotel construction funding limits, which stalled the site until the latest handover.