Dec 11 2007
Rio Tinto Alcan today announced that it will contribute $4 million as the founding sponsor for the construction of the new Montreal Planetarium. The new facility will be named the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium of Montreal and will be constructed in the same area as Montreal's other scientific institutions: the Biodome, Insectarium, and Botanical Gardens.
"Rio Tinto Alcan is proud to support the creation of the new planetarium", said Dick Evans, chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan. "The Montreal Planetarium has been a dynamic educational institution in the City for decades. Rio Tinto Alcan's support of a new and revitalised planetarium underscores our commitment to the social and economic vitality of Montreal, our home town. It demonstrates Rio Tinto Alcan's determination to ensure that the true cultural treasures of the city of Montreal and the province of Quebec continue to flourish," he concluded.
In addition to being the project's premier donor, Rio Tinto Alcan is discussing the possibility of using its products in the construction of the new facility which will be a LEED-certified building. Aluminium is almost infinitely recyclable, making it one of the world's most sustainable products and building materials.
Rio Tinto Alcan has been an integral contributor to Quebec's social fabric and well-being since it established its presence in the province more than 100 years ago. The Group supports more than 200 organizations in Quebec, most recently highlighted through its sponsorship of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and its support of St-Justine's Hospital.