Taman Ria begins 2nd stage of trial operation

JAKARTA (JP): Taman Ria Senayan, a new recreation center in Central Jakarta, began a second stage of its trial operation yesterday, Taman Ria spokeswoman Monika Irayati said.

"The second stage will be held until the end of September before the grand opening, which is scheduled for November," she said on Tuesday.

Irayati said the trial operation opened to the public from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with tickets ranging from Rp 1,500 (U.S. 60 cents) to Rp 3,000 for each ride or game facility.

She said the second stage of the trial operation was launched after the first stage, which had been open to only special invitees between June 14 and July 13.

"The invitees included employee family members, representatives of Taman Ria's partners, nearby offices, the media and the public," she said.

The first stage was to mainly train employees on how to operate the new rides and games, she said.

Irayati also said preparations prior to the trial operation included certification of all rides and games by Leisure Technical Consultant Ltd. of Britain.

Leisure Technical Consultant has 20 years' experience in safety services for the recreation industry, she said, adding that certificates given to Taman Ria declared all facilities at the recreation complex safe and ready for use.

Facilities at the recreational complex include: Treaak (roller coaster), Lu la gi lu la gi (carousel), Zig zag (bumper cars), Trung tung tung (convoy ride), Telekombet (telecombat), Cir kin cir (ferris wheel) and 18-hole minigolf.

Irayati said that TGI Friday's opened a restaurant there and would be followed by other restaurants -- Love's, Front Row, New York Cafe, S & P Thai and Bandiera Blu.

The new entertainment center, which covers 11 hectares, including a six hectare lake, is located at the intersection of Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Gerbang Pemuda, she said.

Irayati said that Taman Ria Senayan was expected to provide a selection of choices for visitors in restaurants and shops similar to the concepts of Citywalk at Universal Studio, Los Angeles, or Clark Quay and Boat Quay in Singapore. (hhr)