2012 opening for Legoland

03 December 2009 , By The Star

Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) is targeting April 2012 as the opening date of the Legoland Malaysia – the first Legoland theme park in Asia.

The other Legoland theme parks are Legoland Billund, Legoland Windsor, Legoland Deutschland and Legoland California.

IIB president and chief executive officer Arlida Ariff said the 26ha theme park would be the centrepiece of the 59ha site in Medini North dedicated to lifestyle development.

To be known as Legoland Malaysia Resort, the project would also comprise a retail mall, themed hotel, business hotel as well as office and residential areas.

“We will start promoting the theme park a year before the opening date,” Arlida said at the project groundbreaking by Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman yesterday.

Arlida declined to divulge details on the entrance charges and the target number of visitors to the park, adding that IIB was still studying the matter.

She said the RM700mil theme park would offer 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions targeted at families with young children between two and 12 years old.

Arlida said Legoland Malaysia would have miniature replicas of iconic buildings and structures across Asia including the Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest twin buildings in the world.

“The project will be funded via RM500mil borrowings from local banks and the balance of RM200mil through internal funding,” she said.

IIB had in December 2008 signed an agreement with Merlin Entertainment Group, which will design and operate the theme park.

Moving forward, Arlida said IIB would be looking at a third theme park in Iskandar Malaysia catering for young adults.

Meanwhile, Legoland Development general manager John Ussher said the main challenge in developing the park in Malaysia was the “sun and rain”. He said unlike the other Legoland theme parks, Legoland here would operate all-year round.

“We will provide shades and canopies using tropical trees and will maintain the natural topography of the area,” said Ussher.