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Groundbreaking Event Signals Start of Renaissance ROM Construction

The Royal Ontario Museum’s (ROM) expansion and transformation project, Renaissance ROM, enters an exciting new stage in its development after a Groundbreaking ceremony and news conference held this morning at the museum. The colourful Groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction activity for the project. The public phase of the $200 million Renaissance ROM Campaign, which has raised $114 million to date, was also launched at the same event. (Please see separate news release, “Renaissance ROM Launches Public Fundraising Campaign.”)

Groundbreaking launches Renaissance ROM construction The Hon. Hilary M. Weston, in the cab of a construction backhoe, symbolically breaks ground for the start of Renaissance ROM construction at a ceremony on May 28. From left are David Tsubouchi, Ontario Minister of Culture; Ontario Premier Ernie Eves; Jean Augustine, federal Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women; and Michael Lee-Chin, lead donor for Renaissance ROM. Photograph by Brian Boyle.

In front of the museum’s original Bloor Street entrance, the Hon. Hilary M. Weston, Chair of the Renaissance ROM Campaign, and lead gift donor Michael Lee-Chin entered the cab of a construction backhoe to symbolically break ground for the site of the museum’s new extension: the Michael A. Lee-Chin Crystal, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

Due to open in December 2005, the Michael A. Lee-Chin Crystal is a 174,000 square foot building, housing six spectacular new galleries: Dinosaurs; Early Mammals; Africa, Pacifica and the Americas; West and South Asia; Textiles; and Contemporary Culture. An 18,000 square foot state-of-the-art International Exhibition Hall will be created beneath the Crystal’s spacious new Bloor Street entrance lobby. Following the Groundbreaking, the existing Terrace Galleries facing Bloor St. will be demolished over the summer to make way for this stunning new wing, with construction slated to begin by October 2003.

Two unique spaces within the Crystal will provide unusual museum experiences: the inspirational Spirit House, a soaring void crisscrossed by bridges linking the Crystal galleries, and the Stair of Wonders, a vertical cabinet of curiosities. An expanded retail store, fine dining restaurant and other improved amenities will also reside in the Crystal.

The Hon. Hilary M. Weston, Ontario Premier Ernie Eves, Federal Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women Jean Augustine, and Mr. Michael A. Lee Chin © Copyright ROM Foundation

The theme of the celebration—“the living ROM”—was embodied by culturally diverse performers ranging from Chinese, Egyptian and Ukrainian dancers, to Iroquois and Japanese musicians. These performers, along with colourful banners, marked a path through the Museum to the outdoor stage and seating area, where a crowd of over 400 friends and staff of the ROM assembled to share in this milestone event. The renowned Nathaniel Dett Chorale delivered an uplifting performance to kick off the formal speeches at the event, while Sadie Buck (who opened the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City) and the Six Nations Singers closed the ceremony.

Speakers included Mrs. Weston, William Thorsell (ROM Director and CEO), lead donor Michael Lee-Chin, Ontario Premier Ernie Eves, Ontario Minister of Culture David H. Tsubouchi and the Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women. In addition to Mr. Lee-Chin, Mrs. Weston thanked several other major donors for their recent generous donations ranging from one million to five million dollars.

“The ROM is a major attraction that strengthens Toronto’s and Ontario’s status as a world-class cultural and tourism destination, “said Premier Eves. “This renovation and expansion will keep the ROM at the forefront of the world’s leading museums and ensure it reflects the increasing diversity of cultures and backgrounds that enrich Ontario.”

“The revitalized ROM will be a living gallery of the marvels of our world and the interests of the people of Ontario, “said Minister Tsubouchi.

“This joyous event marks another important step in the realization of a brilliant new ROM for the people of Canada,” said William Thorsell. “Renaissance ROM remains on-time and on-budget, and we have so many partners to thank for getting us to this point. The public has begun to fully embrace this project and we owe much of this enthusiasm and momentum to the generosity, hard work and foresight of Toronto’s community leaders.”

The Chinese Dance Workshop dancers in the historic Rotunda greet the guests. © Copyright ROM Foundation

The ceremony closed with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Lee-Chin operating the backhoe to dig the first hole of the construction project.

A new Web site devoted to the Renaissance ROM project was also unveiled today at www.rom.on.ca/renaissance, featuring a Web cam with a live shot taken from the roof of the Park Hyatt Hotel across the street from the museum, allowing web surfers to check in on the progress of the project at any time. A new interactive project timeline, descriptions of proposed galleries, information of the Renaissance ROM Campaign and other useful information can also be found on the revamped Renaissance ROM Web site.

The $200 million (CDN) Renaissance ROM project will be built in two phases: Phase One construction will begin May 2003, comprising the Michael A. Lee-Chin Crystal and initial heritage restorations in the existing buildings, to open in December 2005; Phase Two will complete the historical renovations by December 2006. The ROM will remain open throughout construction, with a series of captivating international exhibitions beginning with Art Deco 1910-1939, opening September 20, 2003.

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Issue date:
May 28, 2003

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

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