A stretch of land measuring 92 tumuli, alongside a vineyard in Ta’ Qali, is set to be converted into an adventure park for children, teenagers and adults by October this year.
Details of the €700,000 project – The BOV Ta’ Qali Adventure Park – were announced in Ta’ Qali yesterday by US ambassador to Malta Molly Bordonaro, head of the BOV CEO’s office Michael Galea, Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister George Pullicino and parliamentary secretary in the Finance Ministry Tonio Fenech.
The project, which is being financed by the US Embassy, BOV and the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund, will be undertaken and run by the Malta Olympic Committee.
The American ambassador said the US government would be donating $250,000 for the purchase of state-of-the-art playground equipment including climbing structures, rope structures, a fitness obstacle course and other fun playground equipment for children.
“The Ta’ Qali adventure park is but one example of how the government of Malta is working to protect and conserve the environment. The US shares this goal and we are lending our support to this effort,” said Ms Bordonaro.
She said the park will be a place where Maltese children and their families will have fun and enjoy the outdoors.
At the same time, the American equipment such as the rock climbing wall will help develop coordination, strength and agility through adventurous play.
“As a mother of three young kids, I can tell you this equipment will be tremendously popular with children of all ages. Additionally, several pieces of the equipment are designed for use by children with special needs so that all Maltese children can enjoy full access to the facilities.”
The US Embassy and the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry worked in close cooperation to carefully select suitable equipment so that the Ta’ Qali adventure park will be a fun and safe place where children of all abilities will be able to play side by side.
“In addition to our support for the Adventure Park, the US government is also working with Malta to preserve and improve Ta’ Qali as we prepare to construct our new embassy building nearby.
“It is our commitment that our embassy project will help beautify the area. That is why we are committing today to the adventure park and why we are focused on developing a landscape plan for our embassy that will enhance the surrounding area.”
The new Embassy will be an internationally certified “green” building, said Ms Bordonaro, adding that the extensive landscaping will include indigenous trees and plants specially chosen to complement the beautiful natural environment of Ta’ Qali.
Minister Pullicino said the project has to be ready by October this year. He explained that the project marks the third phase of the Ta’ Qali National Park extension project.
The adventure park will cover an area measuring 92,500 square metres, equivalent to 92 tumuli. Mr Pullicino said the adventure park will include equipment for pre-teens, teens, as well as adults.
“Certain equipment is intended for a proper workout against stress. The area will be turned into a safe space for the whole family,” he said.
The project includes the construction of a building at the centre of the park that will include a food and beverage area, as well as restrooms.
The minister said the Malta Olympic Committee will provide qualified personnel to assist people making use of the equipment at the park, which will be closed during the night.
He said the fourth phase of the Ta’ Qali National Park extension project will be the development of a water park behind the open-air theatre. The venture would be able to begin once the Crafts Village project is ready, he said.