A long-touted BD20m (US$53m, €52.8m, £33.9m) theme park development in Bahrain has been hit by further delays after the discovery of key sewage and water infrastructure underneath the site that needs to be moved before work can go ahead.

Located near Bahrain International Airport, the state-backed development has struggled with previous delays, including resistance from municipal councillors and investors pulling out.

Work was originally due to start in February 2014, but was pushed back until April of the same year. According to Muharraq Municipality director-general Saleh Al Fadhala, work on the development will not now resume until February 2015.

The 93,000sq m (1,000,000sq ft) development – a complete overhaul of Muharraq Grand Garden – will include an ice rink, indoor sports arena, aquatic museum, karting track, Bahrain’s first indoor ski slope, rides, a mosque and a three-storey shopping centre.

Completion is expected during 2018, having already experienced nearly three years of delays.