by Ching Yeh
A nine-hole disc golf loop has been set up between Chili’s restaurant and the Duck Pond. All of the nine baskets are in place for enthusiasts of the sport.
Dhahran — From expanded culinary options to refurbished facilities, members of the Dhahran community are starting to see a number of upgrades and new additions throughout the community.
Restaurants and Cafés
Among the new offerings are several new restaurants and cafés throughout the community. Chili’s, the U.S.-based dining chain, is now in its final stage of preparation and is expected to open soon.
Among the new offerings are several new restaurants and cafés. Chili’s, the U.S.- based dining chain, is now in its final stage of preparation and is expected to open soon, according to the Central Community Services Department.
But several more are on the way or already here.
Starbucks coffee will soon be featured at a location near King’s Park, while Under 500, a U.K.-based “healthy food” restaurant chain featuring main course items under 500 calories, is prepared to open later this year. Next year, Subway, the deli sandwich chain, is expected to open in Dhahran.
Meanwhile, a number of amenities are already arriving. Barn Café, a Saudi Arabia- based café franchise, and Italy-based chain Caffé Vergnano1882 began to enter office buildings and facilities, offering fresh coffee and snacks.
Barn Café will open at Dhahran Suites and Steineke Hall. Caffé Vergnano operates at the Industrial Security Building, the Industrial Training Center, and the Security Academy, among other locations.
An overhaul and upgrade of 65 small coffee stations and snack bars operating in the Dhahran community is underway, and a new Burger King outlet is planned for the Duck Pond area.
Also, part of the Dhahran Dining Hall has been refurbished in Salat Al-Khalij for corporate functions such as business luncheons, farewell parties, and special holiday ceremonies. The facility is adjacent to the Dining Hall but has its own entrance.
And for those who don’t have time to go grocery shopping, LuLu Hypermarket last month started an online shopping for home delivery service. Items purchased online are sourced from its store in Dammam, and its delivery truck is equipped with a refrigerator and freezer for perishable produce.
The goal of bringing new eateries, cafés, and services to the community was to meet growing demand, said Halah T. Albetairi, acting head of the Dhahran Recreation Services Division.
“We want to let people know that we heard you,” said Albetairi. “We care about the feedback we gathered, and we are bringing new options to better serve the community.”
At the former BMX Park in Dhahran Hills, an outdoor gym with exercise stations for children, teenagers, and adults has replaced the former extreme sports area. The outdoor gym features a variety of equipment that offers cardio, core balance, muscular development, and flexibility workouts.
Recreation Facilities Upgraded
New recreation facilities and upgrades of existing ones have also been completed for people to enjoy.
A nine-hole disc golf loop has been set up between Chili’s restaurant and the Duck Pond. All of the nine baskets are in place for enthusiasts of the sport.
At the former BMX park in Dhahran Hills, an outdoor gym with exercise stations for children, teenagers, and adults has replaced the former extreme sports area. The outdoor gym features a variety of equipment that offers cardio, core balance, muscular development, and flexibility workouts.
For dog lovers, a new dog park on the corner of Rolling Hills Boulevard and Lemon Circle is scheduled to open soon, providing exercise equipment for fun and training.
And for dog lovers, a new dog park on the corner of Rolling Hills Boulevard and Lemon Circle is scheduled to open soon, providing exercise equipment for fun and training. (Note: The park will not allow dog food or treats, glass containers, or puppies younger than 4 months.)
Even some of the more venerable exercise areas have received a facelift. Various renovation projects at the Dhahran Hills Recreation Complex have been completed, or are currently in progress. The tennis clubhouse and the locker rooms for the swimming pool have seen a total makeover, with the clubhouse featuring a new floor, lighting, toilets, showers, furniture, and viewing deck.
Also, a new soft pavement is planned to be applied on the surface of the walkways between the tennis courts, while the King’s Road Park landscape was enhanced with a new fountain recently added. At the Rolling Hills Golf Course, a new glass viewing area and rest areas have been added, with a diamond shape room offering a panoramic view of the course.
Further into the future, a proposal has been approved and a design crew assigned to work on an expansion of the men’s gym on Third Street, while the Dhahran movie theater at King’s Park has been closed for renovation as its technology is being upgraded to be on par with commercial cinemas outside of Saudi Aramco.
Upgrades Being Made at Living Facilities
The Dhahran Residential Services Division has embarked on a plan to upgrade Steineke Hall and other accommodations in Dhahran that offer temporary housing for employees who come to Dhahran on shortterm assignments.
The Community Maintenance Division has nearly completed refurbishment of the studio apartments in Buildings 2400, 2401, and 2402 on Canyon Road near the gas station. A total of 35 bachelor housing units on 19th, 20th, and 21st streets have also been renovated.
The new units will be of the same quality and standard as the rooms at Dhahran Suites, an upscale nonbusiness temporary accommodation option for Saudi Aramco employees and their families, said Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a supervisor with the Maintenance Division.
“We like to let the quality of our work speak for itself,” said Al-Zahrani. “Our job is to make employees happy. If the employees are happy, their performance and productivity for the company will go up.”