The local Alec has been awarded the estimated $170m contract by the local developer Aldar Properties to build its water park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi emirate.

The water park will cover a total area of 164,000 square metres and will contain more than 40 rides and attractions.

Alec saw off competition from South Korea’s Samsung C&T and the Netherland’s Interbeton, the other shortlisted companies. At least 12 contractors had submitted bids for the project. The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Aldar is also currently tendering another major construction project on Yas Island.

The developer has set a submission date of 6 March for the main construction package on the estimated $680m shopping development on Yas island.

The work will involve the construction of the Yas mall, northeast and northwest decked car parks, infrastructure and associated roads. The project will also involve hard and soft landscaping works.

The total built up area, including car parks and landscaped areas, of the project will be approximately 1.2 million square metres.

Aldar hopes to award the contract in the second quarter of 2011, and expects the project to be completed in the third quarter of 2013. The local/Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi was awarded a contract to build the mall when it was originally tendered in 2008, but the project was put on hold and Aldar has since decided to retender the contract (MEED 14:1:10).