Dubai to get second IMAX theatre

DEAL SEALED: Meydan has signed an agreement with IMAX to include the famous theatre in its horse racing mega-project. (Getty Images)

Dubai developer Meydan has signed a deal with IMAX Corp. to install a IMAX theatre at its multi-billion dollar race course and entertainment development of the same name, the companies said on Wednesday.

The theatre should be installed by the end of 2009, the companies said in a statement.

There are currently only four IMAX theatres in the Middle East, according to IMAX's website. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait each have one theatre, while the UAE has two.

The UAE's other IMAX theatre is in Battuta Shopping Mall in Dubai.

Saeed A-Tayer, chairman of Meydan, said the addition of an IMAX theatre to the development would "help to reinforce Meydan as a premiere entertainment destination in Dubai".

Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, IMAX's co-chairmen and co-CEOs, said Dubai would serve "as
an excellent platform from which we can increase our visibility in the Middle East".

They said IMAX had plans to increase the number of IMAX theatres in the Middle East to 12 by 2010.

IMAX is a film format that has the capacity to display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film display systems. Films can also be projected in 3D with IMAX 3D.

Meydan is being billed as the most iconic horseracing complex ever constructed and includes a racecourse with a one kilometre-long grandstand, a five-star hotel, restaurants, the Meydan Museum and Gallery, and covered parking for more than 10,000 cars.

It also includes the construction of a business park, dirt and turf racetracks, an 18-hole championship golf course, as well as a residential and commercial district called Meydan City.

Meydan has set an ambitious target of opening in time to host the 2010 Dubai World Cup.

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