The awarding of two building contracts Sept. 17 will allow construction to begin immediately on Meydan Racecourse, a new world-class track being built in Dubai.
Arabtec and WCT Engineering received the contracts to build the racetrack that will cover 76 million square feet, feature state-of-the-art dirt and turf tracks, and a one kilometer-long grandstand with seating for 55,000 to 60,000. The enormous Meydan grandstand will also include a five star-plus luxury hotel, more than 10 restaurants, a Meydan Museum and Gallery, a covered car parking for more than 10,000, and will be the new home of the Dubai Racing Club and Emirates Racing Authority.
The racetrack is expected to be completed in two years and open in 2010 for the 15th renewal of the Dubai World Cup meeting. The marquee race for that meeting will have a minimum purse of US$10 million.
Arabtec is a leading construction company in the UAE, and can include the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai, among its various landmark projects. WCT Engineering is a globally-renowned Malaysian company, whose portfolio numbers the Formula 1 race tracks in Malaysia and Bahrain.
The new racetrack is being built adjacent to Nad Al Sheba racecourse. The project also includes the development of a self-contained community being called Meydan City, which will include commercial and residential plots, retail outlets and a four-kilometer canal. Meydan is an Arabic word that means "where people congregate and race."
Other contracts scheduled to be announced soon include: the racecourse hotel operator, a state of the art Business Park, the construction of the dirt and turf racetracks and the 18-hole championship golf course.
