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Canada's National Tower Redefines Toronto Night Skyline And Presents Beacon for Tourism to CanadaTORONTO, June 28 /CNW/ - At sunset June 28, 2007 the CN Tower dramatically transformed the Toronto night skyline during a special public event premiering the innovative architectural illumination of Canada's National Tower and kicking off Canada Day weekend.



"The CN Tower is an architectural and engineering wonder and we are thrilled to realize a dynamic and visually elegant CN Tower as part of the Toronto night skyline," said Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer for the CN Tower. "This latest technological upgrade provides an energy efficient, cost effective and architecturally stunning result that Torontonians and all Canadians can be proud of. The CN Tower will serve as a beacon for tourism representing the extraordinary experiences that can be found in Toronto and throughout Canada." said Robinson. A free evening public celebration attended by thousands of Toronto residents and visitors featured a live performance by Broadway legend Colm Wilkinson. During a Ceremony in recognition of the CN Tower's place as a defining symbol of the Toronto skyline and as a national icon recognized around the world, following remarks from CN Tower Chief Operating Officer Jack Robinson, congratulations were brought from The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Canada's Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the GTA, The Honourable Monte Kwinter, Minister of Public Safety and Correctional Services (on behalf of Minister of Tourism Jim Bradley), Toronto Mayor David Miller, and Marc Rochon, Chairman of the Board at Canada Lands Company, the owners and operators of the CN Tower. Also in attendance were representatives from Color Kinetics, creators of the Tower's innovative patented LED system. "It's an honour for Color Kinetics to be chosen for a project of this stature, and to bring the extraordinary visual impact of intelligent LED lighting to the most iconic architectural structure in Canada," said Bill Sims, President and CEO, Color Kinetics. "A few short years ago it may have been unthinkable to light a tower of this magnitude with LED sources, and this installation will mark another milestone for the technology's adoption as the de facto method of lighting with color today." Following the official remarks, Minister Flaherty invited Colm Wilkinson back to the stage for the evening's final performance, Music of the Night. As Wilkinson sang, all those attending the event officially launched the show when they lit up thousands of handheld LED wands (distributed earlier in the evening). Onlookers were treated to a spectacular 10 minute show synced to music composed for the CN Tower by local composers John Herberman and Philip Stanger and simulcast over 97.3EZRock for those within sight of the Tower who couldn't attend. Awe-inspiring colours and effects demonstrated the infinite capabilites of the system and culminated in the National Anthem. Following the show, the Tower assumed its standard nightly theme. The CN Tower will be lit nightly from sunset to 1 am with a standard theme honouring Canada's colours, red and white. There will be a short effect at the top of each hour that will from time to time change. Throughout the year, the lighting will pay tribute to national holidays, special occasions and some citywide events. Sunset Admission Offer - $10 after 8pm In celebration of the lighting launch, the CN Tower is extending a special Sunset Admission Offer to visitors to soar to the top of the CN Tower from 8pm - close from June 28 - July 1st, 2007 only for $10 after 8pm (offer valid for Look Out and Glass Floor Observation, tickets must be purchased on site, taxes are additional, cannot be combined with any other offer.) Background A technological leader, the CN Tower's latest upgrade features a system considered the first major lighting breakthrough in over 100 years. The CN Tower has implemented Color Kinetics(R) lighting system that merges patented Chromacore(R) technology with microprocessor-controlled light emitting diodes (LEDs). The programmable LED lighting system is energy efficient and cost effective to maintain. It presents a more vibrant Tower while using less energy than former conventional lighting systems. 1,330 fixtures each no larger than a shoebox replace conventional fixtures the size of washing machines. Capable of millions of colours and effects, it will be used to elegantly illuminate this national icon and internationally recognized symbol of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The system also features directional lighting which presents a brighter Tower that does not interfere with nearby residences and hotels. The CN Tower continues its longstanding support of Toronto's FLAP(*) during spring and fall migration and looks forward to exploring how directional and LED lighting can mitigate bird mortality as current theories suggest. (*) FLAP - Fatal Light Awareness Program - the CN Tower has been a longstanding participant in this volunteer program that encourages buildings to dim unnecessary exterior lighting to mitigate bird mortality during spring and fall migration. CN Tower Standing tall as the defining landmark of Toronto is the CN Tower, Canada's National Tower. At 553.33 metres (1,815ft 5in), it is the World's Tallest Freestanding Tower and a symbol of Canadian achievement recognized around the world. This architectural triumph is an engineering Wonder of the Modern World and widely regarded as the iconic symbol of tourism for Toronto, Ontario and Canada. With breathtaking views from three observation levels including the Glass Floor, Look Out and Sky Pod, theatre, motion ride, shopping, the CN Tower is a world class entertaining and dining destination and must-see attraction when visiting Toronto. Color Kinetics Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Color Kinetics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CLRK) transforms environments through new, dynamic uses of light. Its award-winning lighting systems and technologies apply the benefits of LEDs as a highly efficient, long lasting, environmentally friendly, and inherently digital source of illumination - reinventing light itself as a highly controllable medium. Color Kinetics also enables widespread adoption of LED lighting through OEM and licensing partnerships in diverse markets. The company is headquartered in Boston, MA with offices in the UK and China. More information is available at http://www.colorkinetics.com. Photos, and additional information will be posted at www.cntower.ca by 11pm June 28th. B-Roll video footage and additional information will be available on June 29 at 10am at http://cnw.pondeserver.com/story_details.asp?fn=115. /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/