His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom officially inaugurated the Leisure Zone of Hulhumalé Central Park this evening. Following the opening, the park was lit by a colourful Laser Light show during which President Yameen took a tour of the Leisure Zone. President was accompanied by First Lady Madam Fathmath Ibrahim, Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation Mohamed Saiman, Board Members of HDC, Cabinet Ministers and Members of the Parliament.

Giving an overview of the Central Park and Hulhumalé development plans, Mr. Mohamed Saiman said that it is HDC’s and government’s aim to have the index of open space per person at 2.50 square meters in Hulhumalé. Speaking in this regard, he further stated that open spaces and recreational facilities are as important as housing and retail units, for Hulhumalé to become the “City of Hope” leading towards a quality and healthy lifestyle.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu highlighted the role of Central Park in developing Hulhumalé as a Youth City.

The official ceremony was followed by performances from the first ever Maldivian Idol Laisha Junaid, and other Maldivian Idol finalists and contestants including Shalabee Ibrahim, Mohamed Ishan, Mohamed Zaleef Abdulla, Mohamed Muazzin and Palm Tones.

The 8 hectare area allocated for Central Park was cleaned and opened for the public as a non-motorised and pedestrian friendly space in 2014, at a ceremony held to officially open Hulhumale’ Neighbourhood one barbecue point.

The concept of a Central Park and the conceptual plan to develop the space into the four zones was announced at this function. Tonight marked the successful completion of the first zone and the official opening of Central Park for the first time. In addition to the Leisure Zone, the park will have Fountain, Recreational and Interactive Zones. Major parts of Fountain and Recreational Zone is expected to be completed in December 2016.

In all modern cities throughout the world, Central Park is considered as the recreational landmark development. Likewise, the Hulhumale’ Central Park will contribute to the vision of a modern Youth City, as upon completion it will remain as the biggest, planned urban park development in the Maldives