Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a unit of the Public Investment Fund – the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund – is set to build a new amusement park on a 100-hectare site in the Al Aziziyah area of the Eastern Province.

Along with the amusement park, six cinemas and three new entertainment destinations will be developed, a report from Arab News said. The hubs will be in Dammam, Al Khobar and Al Ahsa areas of the Kingdom, with the entertainment destinations featuring sports areas, movie theatres, green spaces and water sport facilities, similar to projects currently underway in Riyadh, the report added.

The company will focus on developing recreational and entertainment facilities in the Eastern Province, which has a growing population of more than 4.9 million, the report continued, citing chairman Abdullah bin Nasser Al Dawood.

“Seven intends to convert the Eastern Province into an excellent entertainment destination in the Gulf based on its strategic geographic location and touristic significance within the kingdom. The Eastern Province’s stunning coasts, green oases and vast deserts make it an attractive area for investment and development,” Al Dawood stated.

He added that the entertainment destination in Dammam will cover an area of 330,000sqm, while the nearby Al Khobar facility will be built on an area of 360,000sqm.