Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man said yesterday that the ongoing construction of the government’s new central library is expected to be completed in 2028.
Leong made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in Nape yesterday on the sidelines of the launch ceremony of the local edition of the National Reading Campaign Week.
The new central library is being built on the site where the long-defunct Hotel Estoril once stood, opposite Praça do Tap Siac.
The project is being caried out in two phases. The first phase got off the ground in June 2024 and was completed in December last year, comprising the demolition of the former Hotel Estoril, and the new library building’s pile foundation and basement work.
After the first phase’s completion in December last year, the central library project’s second phase, namely superstructure work, got off the ground last month and is scheduled to be completed in March 2028, according to the website of the Public Works Bureau (DSOP).
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Leong underlined that the construction of the new central library “is proceeding steadily and on schedule”, adding that the construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
Leong did not mention when exactly the new central library is expected to open.
Leong also noted that the new central library is designed for all ages, featuring facilities specially designed for children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens respectively.
According to the DSOP website, the central library project’s first phase was carried out by Ming Shun Construction and Property Investment Limited with a price tag of 69.78 million patacas, while the project’s ongoing second phase is currently being carried out by J&T Construction Company Limited with a price tag of 343.888 million patacas.
After the scheduled completion of its construction in March 2028, the new library building will be transferred to the Cultural Affairs Bureau, which will then carry out the building’s internal decoration, install equipment and facilities, and supply the new library with books.
Consequently, the construction of the new central library is scheduled to cost 413.668 million patacas in total, not including the building’s internal decoration.
A taxi is driven past the construction site of the ongoing new central library project on Avenida de Sidónio Pais yesterday. – Photo: Armindo Neves
