Work on Sultan Center starts this year

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said yesterday that the Prince Sultan Civilization Center in Jeddah would be implemented this year at a cost SR 6 billion. “Work on the project will start in the last quarter of this year,” he said.
The project to be carried out in different phases during the next five years will include a 920-bed medical complex, the governor said. The medical complex will have a specialist hospital for cardiac, neurological and cancer diseases, a bone surgery center, a diabetic unit, an eye hospital and a hospital for chronic diseases.
The project, to be spread on an area of two million square meters on Madinah Road, North of Jeddah close to the Obhur Bridge, also includes a dialysis center, a naturopathic treatment center, a maternity and children’s hospital and a university for health and medical sciences. The center will be located adjacent to King Abdullah Sports City.
The project includes construction of villas and furnished apartments, a commercial complex with showrooms and hotels, an international school, a sports center, a mosque and various public utility services.
Muhammad bin Abdul Qader Al-Fadl, chairman of the board of directors of the center, said the project was the brainchild of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, adding that it would attract investment in various infrastructure projects.
“It will be a cultural landmark in Jeddah reflecting its progress,” Al-Fadl said. It offers investment opportunities in education, housing, tourism and trade.
Prince Khaled chaired a meeting yesterday to discuss the project when the consultancy firm gave a presentation on the project and its designs. It showed that there will be an artificial lake in the middle of the project apart from greenery.
The project includes a center for exhibitions and activities to be constructed on an area of 200,000 sq. meters. Local and international exhibitions will be conducted in the center, said Al-Fadl. It will also contribute to attracting more investments to Jeddah.
The project is named after Prince Sultan, former crown prince and minister of defense and aviation, who passed away in October 2011. Prince Sultan had watched a model of the project before his death.
In a previous statement, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said the project was aimed at establishing a distinguished scientific edifice which includes cultural and recreational services to the Saudis and visitors.
He pointed out that the center will be located at the northwestern corner of King Abdulaziz International Airport.
The project included an international center for conferences, Prince Sultan Cultural Oasis, an open-air theater, educational park for children in addition to Prince Sultan Library.
Prince Sultan played a big role in the Kingdom’s development. He died at a New York hospital following prolonged illness at the age of 80. The Royal Court commended Prince Sultan's contributions toward ensuring the progress and prosperity of the Kingdom.
“While conveying its condolences to the Saudi people, we pray to the Almighty that He may bless the late prince with his mercy and forgiveness and admit him to His Paradise and give him the best of rewards for the contributions he made for his religion and nation," the royal court said.