52nd Board Meeting of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Held Today

The Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) held its 52^nd meeting today.

At the meeting, WKCDA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Duncan Pescod introduced Mr William Chan, WKCDA’s new Chief Operating Officer to the Board. Mr Chan will support CEO in overseeing infrastructural development and construction delivery of the West Kowloon Cultural District project.

Members of the WKCDA Board were briefed that the project is moving ahead smoothly. Following the final lifting of the main theatre structure of Xiqu Centre to the top of the building in early May, the construction now focuses on connecting the external steel envelope in addition to erecting the facade. The foundation works of Lyric Theatre Complex and extended basement are also showing good progress, with the main works design in the detailed design stage. Construction of the M+ building now focuses on excavation and substructure works, with core elements gradually emerging from the ground. The Main Works contract for the Park will be awarded soon with the approval of the Board. With granting of its Occupation Permit in June the M+ Pavilion is set to be open to the public this summer.

Mr Pescod also reported that in recent months a number of events have been hosted by external organisations in the Nursery Park including open air yoga sessions, a youth music festival, a family-oriented camping workshop as well as a number of running events along the waterfront promenade. All these events indicate a very high demand from external groups to use the open space at WKCD for a wide and diverse range of cultural and community activities. Building on the new crowds drawn by these events to the site, Mr Pescod said the WKCDA is looking forward to hosting a full programme of events in the Nursery Park from September 2016 to March next year, including Freespace Happening, music festivals, open air theatre performances and a range of food and beverage attractions.

With regard to artistic programmes, Members were informed that the second edition of Rising Stars of Cantonese Opera will take place from 12 to 17 August at the new wing of Ko Shan Theatre where 14 emerging actors will perform 3 full-length masterpieces under the guidance of acclaimed Cantonese opera virtuoso Law Ka-ying.

Alongside performances there are also other educational and community initiatives.  Collaborating with local partners and leading over 100 participants to dance on site in the district, WKCDA brought The Big Dance Pledge – an international community participatory dance event in the UK – to Hong Kong on 20 May 2016. M+ will be collaborating with art practitioners to organise the M+ Summer Camp from 31 July to 3 August, in which 100 secondary school students will have their creativity, critical thinking and confidence nurtured through creative workshops, sharing sessions and performances.

Members also approved the draft audited statement of accounts for the financial year 2015-16.