A HISTORIC spring was opened to the public yesterday for the first time since it was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, giving families a place to cool down in the summer heat.
Located in Mahooz Block 334, the opening ceremony of the Ain Umm Al Shaoum was led by Better Life Society founder and chairman MP Ahmed Al Salloom.
At 5,319sqm, it is Bahrain’s second biggest natural springs park, only after Adhari, and blends urban heritage with modernity, providing green spaces, swimming pools and areas for other physical activities.
The society took over the management of the park and the spring in October last year in a three-year deal, with the aim of breathing life back into the swimming spring, which carries a significant cultural and historical legacy in Bahrain.
With Adhari closed, it is the only public pool park in Bahrain that is currently open to the public.
Mr Al Salloom stressed the importance of co-operation between official authorities and civil societies in the kingdom, and stated that taking over the management of the park comes as part of the society’s framework of community partnership.
“One of the society’s most important goals has always been to support economic and social projects to enhance the local environment and the lives of the people,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“We want to give families in the area and across the kingdom more activities and more amenities, which is why we signed the deal with the Capital Trustees Board all those months ago.”
While the spring itself is the main attraction, the revamped park also contains green spaces, new playgrounds and recreational and sports facilities including two swimming pools.
A company has also been contracted to maintain the swimming pools, and there will be lifeguards and security personnel to enhance safety in the park.
There is also a special zone for children where they can take part in physical activities that teach them the value of co-operation and develop their basic social skills at an early age.
When the society took over management of the park, a comprehensive assessment of its condition was conducted, followed by necessary maintenance work.
“From the beginning, we have expressed our desire to manage all aspects of the park in order to improve the lives of the citizens and residents in the area,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“We took into account the needs of families, especially children, as they are the ones who will make the park a success.
“The park’s large area will allow us to achieve maximum occupancy of the site, which will benefit it greatly.
“It will also give people an ideal opportunity to organise community activities in the park.”
The park was closed for more than four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Since then, it was left unattended until the Capital Trustees Board put it up for investment in a public auction in May last year in a bid to provide residents more spaces for families to spend time in during the summer months.
The GDN reported last year that a bid to entice investors to renovate, remodel and repair both Ain Adhari in Adhari and Ain Umm Al Shaoum in Mahooz failed to attract interest with the Tender Board.
Ain Adhari, in particular, has always been regarded as a significant destination for Bahrainis, not only serving as a reminder of the country’s once abundant natural springs – but also as a popular location where families happily gathered.
The visitor capacity for both sites is 300 people – Ain Adhari can accommodate 200 and Ain Umm Al Shaoum around 100. Bahrain’s abundance of water has attracted people since for years and gave the country its Arabic name, ‘the two seas’.
The submarine springs in Bahrain, where sweet water rises up from depth to meet the salt water, had a paramount religious significance and had supported the pearling industry in Bahrain and defined the location of main urban centres.
Water springs were important supplies for fishermen and provided water to villages via water pipes.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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