Local developer Aldar Properties has received bids for the contract to build a water park on its $40bn Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

At least 12 contractors have submitted bids for the work, says a source close to the project.

UK-based Atkins is the consultant for the 16.4 hectare water park project. The park will have more than 40 rides and attractions.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2012.

Aldar Besix, the joint venture management contracting company formed by Aldar and Belgium’s Besix in 2008 to deliver Yas Island’s Ferarri theme park and shopping mall, has invited contractors to express interest in tendering for the civil works package for the retail centre on the island.

The winning contractor will carry out the civil and structural works for the east and west department store sections of the proposed mall.

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 Besix have since decided to retender the contract.

The client hopes to award the contract in early October and work is expected to commence later that month. The project is expected to take eight months to complete.

The shopping mall will take up most of the 300,000 square metres of retail space planned for the island.

In April, Aldar awarded the local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion an estimated AED120m ($32m) contract to build a new Ikea furniture store on Yas Island (MEED 22:4:10).