CIBC will be Inaugural Season Sponsor of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal

Free public admission to ROM’s Architectural Opening on June 2 & 3 to be sponsored by CIBC

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce CIBC as Inaugural Season Sponsor of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. A media conference was held today in the Museum’s CIBC Discovery Gallery to provide the details of this year-long partnership, which kicks off at the Architectural Opening and Building Dedication ceremonies of the new addition to the Museum on the evening of Saturday, June 2, 2007. On that night and the following day (Sunday, June 3), CIBC will offer the public free admission to the Museum, to celebrate the opening of this important new cultural icon in Toronto.

“Our tradition of supporting the ROM dates back to 1912, when Sir Edmund Walker, head of CIBC, served as the Museum’s founding Chairman,” said Gerry McCaughey, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC. “We are proud to continue that tradition as the ROM enters this exciting new phase in its history.”

“We’re delighted that CIBC has partnered with us once again, providing free admission so that more visitors can enjoy the Architectural Opening of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal,” said William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO. “We look forward to working together with our Inaugural Season Sponsor on a year-long series of celebrations marking the completion of each of the galleries in the building.”

From June 2 to 10 only, ROM visitors will have a unique opportunity to enjoy the pure architectural design of the completed Lee-Chin Crystal, before the installation of its galleries begins.

On June 11, the gallery floors will close for installation, but the Museum’s new main entrance on Bloor Street and the Lee-Chin Crystal’s public amenities and special exhibitions will remain open.

Today’s event also featured the unveiling of two important recent acquisitions for the galleries of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. The new acquisitions, which reflect the Museum’s dual mandate of world cultures and natural history, are:

• An eight-foot fossil of a 195-million year old ichthyosaur, a marine-dwelling dinosaur, Leptonectes tenuirostris, which will be a highlight of the James and Louise Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs, opening in December 2007 on Level 2; and
• An ornate full-sized 18th c. suit of Mughal chain link armour, complete with shield and spear which will be featured in the Gallery of the Middle East on Level 3, opening in February 2008.

The sponsorship announced today is part of CIBC’s contribution of more than $2 million towards the Renaissance ROM Campaign and the opening of the new ROM. This support includes the expanded and relocated CIBC Discovery Gallery at the ROM, which opened its doors in March, 2007. It offers younger visitors a lively, interactive introduction to the Museum’s galleries and collections.

CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to its clients, employees and communities. CIBC aims to make a difference in communities the bank calls home through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a focus on youth, education and health, and employee commitment to causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the United Way and the CIBC World Markets Children’s Foundation, CIBC is investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country. In 2006, the CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million globally to charitable and non-profit initiatives. Of this, $28 million was invested in Canada to support national, regional and local organizations.