Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Work crews put finishing touches on the interior of the Michael Lee Chin Crystal which houses the Hyacinth Gloria Chen Crystal Court, dedicated to the Jamaican-born Canadian billionaire's mother. Lee Chin told journalists touring the new facility on Thursday that among his wishes for the new wing was that his mother, who was 70 when he made the lead donation of CDN$30 million, would live to see its completion. - Photos by Barbara Ellington/Lifestyle Editor

Toronto, Canada:

The Royal Ontario Museum's (ROM) spanking new wing is visible from several blocks away. The Daniel Libeskind design speaks volumes of the harmony that is possible between the young and old. Juxtaposed are two structures - one of brick dating back to the early 1900s, and the Michael Lee Chin Crystal - born in the mind of world-famous architect, Libeskind. They demonstrate how youth and experience can coexist, pulling from and drawing on each other.

This was what over 25 journalists got to see on Thursday last week on a tour led by a very proud Lee Chin, the lead donor of CDN$30 million and in whose honour the wing is named. He was accompanied by Mr. Libeskind and the museum's director/chief executive officer, Mr. William Thorsell. From level one to four, the new wing will house seven spacious galleries and lots of public spaces as well as the Hyacinth Gloria Chen Crystal Court named for Mr. Lee Chin's mother.

Michael Lee Chin shares a special moment with Mrs. Hillary Weston, businesswoman, philanthropist and a board member of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). Mrs. Weston was instrumental in getting Mr. Lee Chin to become the lead donor of CDN$30 million towards the new wing at the museum.

Mr. Lee Chin was upbeat and positive as he fielded questions from members of the print and electronic media. The word 'humbled' was almost a recurring theme from a man who revealed that never in his wildest dreams did he envision such an eventuality from the blueprints he was shown.

"I am humbled and inordinately blessed. Last night there was a dinner for my family and I am happy that my mother is alive to see some of the rewards for her travails and sacrifices," Mr. Lee Chin said as he reminisced on the struggles of his mother to get him to this point of his life. Part of the struggle, he said, was not taking a vacation for two years as his parents sacrificed for their children.

The billionaire also said he hoped the new wing would be seen as positive inspiration for all immigrants, new Canadians and all Canadians. And, in response to a question about the risk he took to undertake such a project, Mr. Lee Chin said there are always risks in business but the rewards are phenomenal. When asked by The Gleaner whether there would now be a possibility for Jamaican artists to exhibit at the ROM, Mr. Lee Chin said: "Now we have access. Whether today or in the future, I will always be a promoter of Jamaica and we do have access now."

Mr. Libeskind said his design represents a quantum leap from tradition into the future and will inspire other architects to go further.

Mrs. Hyacinth Gloria Chen in whose honour the Crystal Court at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is named, with her husband Vincent Chen. Parents of Jamaican-born Canadian billionaire Michael Lee Chin, they are in Canada for a week of celebratory activities to mark the opening of the new Michael Lee Chin Crystal at the ROM.

"It is a fantastic replication of what future Canada will be and fits in with the beauty of Toronto."

But the person really relishing every moment of the tour was Mr. Thorsell, who has only been in the top job at the ROM for seven years. He told journalists that buildings always undergo evolution and the Michael Lee Chin Crystal will fit in with the needs of the galleries as well as change with the seasons. "We now have some robust exhibition spaces that communicate in such a way that the architect needs to say nothing. Mr. Lee Chin made the first move and that was a huge statement about himself, his family and his country."

By now the excitement and euphoria of last Friday night's grand opening and yesterday evening's free public concert with a fantastic light show would have come and gone but the new wing at the ROM will last a lifetime.