Sri Lanka breaks ground to set up Fantasy Island with country’s largest Ferris wheel
Sri Lanka has broken ground to set up a 1.5 acre entertainment zone, Fantasy Island, with the country’s largest Ferris wheel and a large water park and an impressive snow cave.
Once in operation the Ferris wheel will provide a bird’s eye views across the capital city and its suburbs.
The ground-breaking ceremony had taken place on Friday (23) under the patronage of Sri Lanka’s Minister of Megapolis and Western Development Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Accordingly, the said theme park is part of the Megapolis development plan to establish world-class recreational and entertainment facilities in close vicinity to the country’s commercial capital, Colombo.
With an estimated investment of US$ 4.2 million in the first phase, Fantasy Island expects to attract 1,000 visitors per day, as an integral part of the country’s dynamic drive to boost tourism earnings from around South East Asia with special focus on providing new world entertainment and adventure activities for children, youth and families.
“Fantasy Island will also provide superior entertainment and fun activities for the residents of Colombo and Sri Lanka at large,” Sri Lanka’s Waters Edge Chairman Chamath De Silva has been quoted as saying. “We have also transformed Waters Edge to be the largest entertainment and recreational hub in Colombo, everything was developed according to a plan,” he has stated.
The proposed Ferris wheel standing at 40 metres high (approximately the height of a 14-storey building) is to consist of 34 capsules and can accommodate over 200 people at any given time, whilst each ride will last 20 minutes. The construction is to also have special built-in capsules for the differently-abled.
The accompanying thematic water park is to reportedly comprise a thrilling mix of physical and visual sensations with a height of upto 12 metres ranging from six slides, whirlwind slides and open downward spiral tunnels that set the pulse racing up to the final splashdown.
The snow cave is to be powered by German technology. It is to offers its visitors a gentle and pleasant cool-down after thrills of the water park and the Ferris wheel. The scientifically curated room is to consist of actual real snow with activities synonymous with freshly snow-covered winter landscapes around the globe. Children and adults alike will be offered a unique climate experience to be able to touch and feel real snow.
The open terrain of the theme park is to feature skateboarding and other entertainment activities complemented by the existing Diyatha Station food court, Sri Lanka’s first series of multi-cuisine restaurants based inside train carriages. A sports themed bar will also be a part of this area, along with a teen corner with a gaming arcade, pool tables and game boards, which ensures entertainment for the entire family.
“As a hospitality giant in the industry, our aim is to transform the paradigm of entertainment and recreation in the country and dominate the leisure sector with our expertise and sustainable partnerships,” Sri Lanka’s Waters Edge Director Strategic Initiatives Enoj Muthukumarana has reportedly said at the ground breaking event.
“We aspire to entertain middle class families and their children and provide them with an opportunity to experience world class standards in innovative adventure, which represent the elements air, sea and land. All activities within Fantasy Island are geared to stimulate both their physical senses and the mind,” he has added.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka’s ongoing development programme covers all key economic sectors islandwide. Tourism and recreation have been given much prominence in the programme. All this has resulted in the expansion of business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. The above mentioned Fantasy Island concept is one such development programme that would yield profits and guarantee return on investment. Therefore, foreign businesses/investors could explore innovative business/investment ideas that could be included in Sri Lanka’s ongoing development programme.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/29082019/Z_1 |