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Busch's 4 Dubai Projects Delayed

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: February 5, 2009

TAMPA - Plans for Busch Entertainment Corp. to build four theme parks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the economy has suffered from a decline in oil prices and real estate values, have been delayed 12 months, corporate officials said Wednesday.
Busch Entertainment and Dubai developer Nakheel PJSC intend to announce a new completion target date, Busch Entertainment spokesman Fred Jacobs said in an e-mail from the company's Orlando headquarters.

"The project is being delayed by 12 months, but both BEC and Nakheel remain committed to it," Jacobs said.

A new SeaWorld and Aquatica were scheduled to open in Dubai in December 2012 and a Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove were to open in 2015. The parks were planned to be built on 300 acres on an artificial island shaped like Busch's signature killer whale image.

"The delay will likely push the opening of all four back," Jacobs said.

The delay will have no effect on Busch Entertainment's financial picture, he said.

Donnie Mills, executive vice president and general manager of Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, was selected a year ago to head the Dubai projects. For now, he will continue in his role in Tampa. But Mills, who has been studying the Quran and taking lessons in Arabic in Tampa in addition to taking several trips to Dubai to prepare for his assignment, will continue in his Worlds of Discovery Dubai role when the project resumes, Busch officials said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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