The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) held its 101st meeting on September 30. At the meeting, Ms Eva Kwong, Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Corporate Services Officer of WKCDA, reported on recent progress in different areas of the West Kowloon Cultural District.

     Ms Kwong began by reporting that M+, Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture, is set to open to the public on 12 November 2021. Ms Kwong noted that the Occupation Permit of the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) was issued on 29 September and its Certificate of Practical Completion is expected to be awarded by the end of this year. At that point, HKPM will begin the fitting out of exhibition galleries in preparation for the arrival of the objects from the Palace Museum in May 2022.

   Reporting on other construction projects in the District, Ms Kwong noted that different construction projects relating to the Integrated Basement are currently in progress. The Authority has reviewed the contents of the consultancy contracts for the detailed design of the Integrated Basement in Zones 2B and 2C and the Underground Road, and will award the contracts shortly once approval from the WKCDA Board has been given.
    The construction of the Lyric Theatre Complex superstructure has now reached the ground floor mezzanine level. Elsewhere, the main structure of the Artist Square Bridge has been connected to the shopping mall above MTR Kowloon Station. The bridge load transfer onto permanent columns was completed in August, and the main bridge deck was concreted early this month. The remaining work on the bridge is on target for early completion by the end of this year, ready for the opening of M+.

    Lastly, Ms Kwong announced that the WKCDA Board had approved the appointment of Ms Wendy Gan Kim-see as Deputy Chief Executive Officer (District Development). Ms Gan will assume duty in November 2021, and she will oversee development and delivery of infrastructure, arts and cultural facilities and supporting facilities for the District. She will also have lead responsibility for formulating high-level strategies to drive business development, and for handling Hotel/Office/Residential and Retail, Dining and Entertainment developments in the District.