Metronome Canada, the non-profit initiative to create the "world's first music city" on Toronto's waterfront, has raised $5.3 million in donated services, cash and in- kind donations.

"Contributions have come from a wide range of sources including the music, advertising, construction and media industries as well as the general public," says John Harris, President of the charitable Foundation. "We are well on our way to achieving the goal of $25 million from corporate, foundation and individual commitments. Applications for $10 million from the Federal Infrastructure Fund and the Provincial SuperBuild Program are in preparation.

"The increasing interest in METRONOME is due to a public awareness program supported by 53 Media Patrons who have donated $2.6 million in advertising space. The national campaign includes full page newspaper and magazine ads, billboards and posters in subway and GO Stations, transit shelters, restaurants, bars and parking kiosks. Radio and television ads featuring a virtual reality tour of METRONOME will debut this summer.An unprecedented 17 construction trades have agreed to donate 50% of their profits to help build METRONOME.

The cost of constructing the complex, which will house Canada's Music Museum, The Music Education Centre, an 800 seat concert theatre and a music themed children's playground, includes an additional $25 million in bank financing.

"METRONOME CANADA will be a one-of-a-kind tourist destination for the City of Toronto and a valuable international symbol of Canadian cultural self-determination."

Computer illustrations are available at http://www.metronomecanada.com