Muscat: Al Mouj Muscat, Oman's lifestyle and leisure destination, has awarded the construction of its Community Hub to a local partner and one of the leading national companies, Shaksy Engineering Services. Work will soon begin on the much-anticipated Community Hub—the destination’s newest development, designed and created to be a place where people can connect, share and learn. The agreement was signed by Nasser bin Masoud Al Sheibani, CEO of Al Mouj Muscat, and Said Bin Salaam Al Shaksi, CEO of Shaksy Engineering Services.
Situated at a prime location, between the main entrance and the adjacent Ghadeer District, the Community Hub will incorporate different major features including a masjid, a kindergarten and a sales and experience centre, set to open in 2019.
Commenting on the development agreement, Al Sheibani said: “The Community Hub is very important for us as it is a project driven with one ultimate goal: serving the community. In fact, the masjid in particular is something that we have wanted to bring to our community since the beginning, to reflect our cultural identity. Hence, we are delighted to be starting construction which will be completed next year.”
In addition to the prayer halls for women and men, the much-anticipated masjid, which will accommodate over 400 people, will also feature a cultural centre where everyone is welcome to visit and learn about Omani culture and traditions, as well as two libraries for men and women. The second major feature of the Community Hub will be the kindergarten, which has been designed by world-renowned specialists in the field. The experience centre will initially serve as a destination where visitors learn more about Al Mouj Muscat. Besides, the Community Hub will comprise classrooms for arts, activity parks and a library for children.
Al Sheibani continued, “Our vision has always been to create a lifestyle and leisure destination that brings people together, and celebrates the very best in community living and the richness of Omani culture. The plans we have for this new development will mean that people will have a vibrant hub where they can meet others in their community, as well as share and learn.”
Enhancing the urban experience of the Community Hub is the "space between", which will be beautifully landscaped and will serve to connect all the features of the development together. Future plans will also see pop-up street food outlets and Omani fashion boutiques, as well as a market to sell traditional Omani arts and crafts, adding to Al Mouj Muscat’s established food, retail and entertainment offerings.
To facilitate vehicular flow and enhance visitors’ experience, Al Mouj Muscat has planned a parking lot with around 170 spaces. For families dropping their children off at the kindergarten, the adjacent parking spaces will also feature an easy-to-use wide-bay design.
Construction partner Shaksy Engineering Services was chosen to work on this significant project due its dedicated and skilled workforce, and best facilities, resources and equipment in the market. Reflecting on its continuous support towards Omani companies, and its partnership with Shaksy Engineering Services, Al Sheibani said, “Shaksy Engineering Services, like Al Mouj Muscat, has a clear and ambitious vision and we are confident that together we will add another milestone of success for Al Mouj Muscat with this community project.”