News Releases

The ROM receives $30 million from SuperBuild towards Renaissance ROM Ontario Premier Mike Harris announces significant support for ROM expansion project.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is elated with the news that it will receive $30
million in support of its planned expansion project, Renaissance ROM, from
the provincial government. The funding comes from the Ontario Government through
the SuperBuild Sports, Culture and Tourism Partnerships initiative. The
announcement was made today by Ontario Premier Mike Harris.

"We are delighted that the Government of Ontario has announced such a significant investment in the future of the Museum. This wonderful announcement means that the Royal Ontario Museum, situated at one of the most prominent intersections in the city, can truly take a lead role in Toronto's cultural tourism renaissance," remarked William Thorsell, ROM President and CEO. "Premier Harris also announced that Ontario will officially nominate the ROM for matching federal funding. Our discussions with federal officials to date give us every reason to believe that federal support will be forthcoming to ensure that these transformations occur. This reflects the fact that the Royal Ontario Museum is a national, as well as a provincial and civic asset, and we are delighted with the support we have received thus far. The ROM would like to thank everyone who has supported this project to date and to congratulate the other worthy recipients."

Jack Cockwell, Chair of the ROM Board of Trustees added, "This commitment
brings significant funding to Phase One of the ROM's building project, a $150
million transformation focused on the dramatic new Bloor Street "Crystal"
designed by Daniel Libeskind. We hope to begin construction of Phase One in May
2003, with completion in 2005. Phase Two will complete the project with another $50 million invested in renovations to the historic east and west wings."

The recently-chosen lead architect for Renaissance ROM, Daniel
Libeskind, remarked, "I am thrilled with the decision of the provincial government! It shows the wisdom of investing in great public institutions such as the Royal Ontario Museum, and thus in the future of Toronto. Because, after all, the great legacy will be in offering spectacular new spaces to the ROM which will assure the continuity of its traditions into the future."

"This lead investment from the Ontario government comes in recognition of the
significant untapped potential of the ROM's collections and programs to be
developed for the public good," commented Frank Potter, Chair of the ROM
Foundation Board of Directors, the fundraising arm of the ROM. "This investment
will be leveraged many times over by the private sector, in a campaign that is
now quietly underway and will assume a public face later this year. The campaign
will be decisive in determining the timing and pace of the Renaissance ROM
project."

Renaissance ROM, the new master plan for the Museum's growth and
vitality, will transform the ROM through bold new architecture that adds 40,000
square feet of new galleries, renovates the historic buildings and improves
public amenities to create a star cultural attraction for the city, the province
and Canada. It will stimulate a leap forward in the ROM's financial
self-sufficiency by dramatically increasing the Museum's audience reach, and
anchor a new arts and cultural centre in Toronto.

On February 26, 2002, the ROM announced the selection of Daniel Libeskind as the
lead architect for Renaissance ROM, from a field of 50 international firms, with
local partner Bregman + Hamann Architects. Libeskind's "Crystal" design
provides practical and elegant solutions to many of the ROM's current
challenges. The $200 million (CDN) project will be built in two phases,
beginning May 2003, and will be completed in 2006, with Vanbots Construction
Corporation providing Construction Management services. The designs and models
submitted by the three short-listed architects for the transformation project
are on view at the Museum in the current exhibit, Views of Our Future: Three
Architectural Finalists.

The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

For 24-hour information in English and French, please call (416) 586-8000

 

 

Issue date:
March 19, 2002

For more information:
Media Relations
Tel.: 416.586.5547
Fax: 416.586.8022
E-mail: media@rom.on.ca

News

More information on RSS Feeds and subscribing

Media release information is accurate at the issue date noted.

For older news releases, particular details (including dates) may have changed in the intervening period.