Al Qasba's Eye of The Emirates Wheel will be missing

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD ... Al Qasba with the Eye of the Emirates standing tall. One of the best tourist attractions in Sharjah, Al Qasba is a massive complex featuring entertainment, cultural and dining venues. Photos by M.Sajjad/ Khaleej Times

Residents and visitors of Sharjah will miss Al Qasba's Eye of The Emirates Wheel for a while. 
The wheel is being temporarily brought down for major maintenance in order to continue providing quality experiences under safe and secure settings. 
The area surrounding it has been cordoned off beginning Wednesday and the wheel is expected to be assembled and reopened to the public early October. 
Residents of Sharjah said they will miss the iconic Ferris wheel, which they used to see everyday. It is recognised as one of the most majestic and popular landmarks not only in Sharjah, but the UAE as a whole. 
The management team at Al Qasba, Sharjah's premier leisure, tourism and family destination, has announced that it is temporarily closing the Eye of the Emirates Wheel for a major maintenance procedure. 
Al Qasba Manager, Sultan Mohammed Shattaf, said the priority is sustainability and continuity in providing premium services and unique experiences to all visitors and tourists at Al Qasba. "This major maintenance will allow us to dismantle and reassemble the 60-metre structure. The maintenance process will be completed by the time winter approaches when the Eye of the Emirates will make a more sensational reappearance," he added. 
"The major maintenance plan is part of our commitment in delivering visitors and tourists the opportunity to experience one of the most remarkable and most-favoured landmarks in Sharjah and the UAE under a safe and secure environment." 
In addition to the Eye of the Emirates wheel, Al Qasba is renowned for offering state-of-the-art tourist and leisure attractions, including restaurants, cafés, the Kids Fun Zone, the Al Qasba Musical Fountain, the Maraya Art Centre and numerous other facilities that cater to visitors of all ages and family-tourists. 
"Only a limited section which surrounds the Ferris wheel at Al Qasba will be closed temporarily, while all our restaurants, cafes, art centres, the Kids Fun Zone, entertainment activities and other facilities will continue to operate normally," he added. 
Aisha Al Shamsi, a resident, said she cannot imagine entering Sharjah without seeing the wheel. It's one of the images that make Sharjah special, but it is important that maintenance be done for better services, she said. 
Mohammed Al Kabbi felt the wheel is one of the most important landmarks of Sharjah. "It has become part of our daily life," he said. 
Yousif Ahmed said that Sharjah will look different during its absence and every one will miss it. 
"I hope this maintenance is conducted fast to bring it back with a new look that will add more beauty to the city," he said. 
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah

Afkar Ali Ahmed

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com