Work on a dolphinarium project at Creekside Park is almost complete, Dubai Municipality said in a statement.

The Dh33-million ($8.98m) edutainment facility, undertaken by the civic body in conjunction with a private firm, will be open to public this summer, it added.

Dubai Municipality acting director-general Engineer Hussain Nasser Lootah said the project forms part of the civic body’s initiative to involve private firms in setting up various long-term investment projects in the emirate and offer the public a variety of recreational and edutainment services.

"This facility will include a water circus show, dolphin therapy, dolphin sighting excursions, and lectures among others," said Lootah.

He was touring the facility, along with senior officials of Dubai Municipality and Royal Segrex, the company which is undertaking the project on a BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis for a period of 20 years.

He said the municipality has been initiating and actively supporting all projects that contribute towards a better quality of life for Dubai residents; especially children and youth.

“Dubai Dolphinarium is an example of that, offering the broad public a variety of entertainment, educational and therapeutic programs. The project is very special and represents a real added value to the society, because it offers a variety of activities that address and cover many important aspects such as education, entertainment, therapy and research. Thus it represents an appealing diversification for both residents and tourists from all round the world,” he said.

The dolphinarium, which has been built over a land of 4900 square, will offer both UAE residents and visitors from neighbouring countries and the rest of the world the chance to enjoy the highly skilled and choreographed performances of dolphins and sea lions. In addition to that, it will have a Marine Mammal Education Center led by a team of marine mammal scientists and dolphin specialists.

The centre shall offer various lectures and shows introducing both children and adults to the nature and habitat of these amazing intelligent mammals and how we can learn and help preserve the several species of dolphins that exist in the Gulf waters.

As part of the educational aspect of the project, the Dolphinarium will offer special programmes for schools and large organizations. 

The objective will be to provide these activities during the morning hours.  The programs will focus on education in an entertaining way. Children will be encouraged to think about conservation and to share with their parents their experience in learning about dolphins and sea lions.

There will also be photo sessions, where children can have their pictures taken with dolphins and sea lions. Kids will also have the chance to have a video taken with them in a little rubber boat being pulled around the pool by a dolphin.

Another programme is swimming with dolphins, which will allow people to swim supervised for 10-30 minutes in a group or as an individual with a dolphin, they can also try to be pulled by a dolphin and experience talking with dolphins.

Excursions shall be organised by experienced skippers, offering people the possibility to head out for a day trip to watch dolphins in the regional waters.  Participants will have the opportunity to learn about these amazing creatures and will learn about the six species of dolphins, which can be found in and around the GCC waters.

The investor has already purchased an 82 ton vessel. It shall also serve for conducting research that aims on identifying and documenting the marine mammalian life in the Gulf Waters. The investor plans to purchase later on, another vessel to be used exclusively for dolphin sighting excursions.

The Dolphinarium will be open six days per week leaving one day rest for dolphins and their handlers.  The<