Montréal Space for Life Is the Overall Winner in the 2014 Grands Prix du Tourisme québécois

MONTREAL, May 14, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal Space for Life has been honoured with the prestigious grand prize in the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois. A finalist in the Tourist Attractions: 100,000 Visitors or More category, Space for Life was once again saluted by Tourisme Québec in front of the entire Quebec tourism industry for its exceptional year in 2013, marked by the opening of the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium and the Mosaïcultures International exhibition at the Botanical Garden. This coveted distinction awarded by the Quebec tourism community confirms Montréal Space for Life's role as a major player in the province's tourist development. One of Montréal's flagship institutions, recognized for the quality and excellence of its achievements, it set a new record of over 2.7 million visitors in 2013!

"We are very proud to see this huge tribute from the Quebec tourism industry to one of the jewels in Montréal's crown. Space for Life is a showcase for local know-how, synonymous with excellence, creativity and innovation. Its stellar reputation helps to position Montréal as one of the world's leading cities of art, culture and design," said Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre.

"This award comes on top of the many prestigious distinctions awarded to the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium in the past year. The Space for Life's new star stands out for its architectural signature and the unique experience it offers. Its bold approach and originality and the quality of its facilities have been acclaimed over and over," noted Manon Gauthier, Montréal Executive Committee member responsible for culture, heritage, design, Space for Life and the status of women.

A constellation of awards for the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium

Drawing over 350,000 visitors in its first year, the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium has quickly become one of Montréal's must-see attractions. Thanks to a daring combination of science, art and emotion, if promises visitors a novel way of looking at the sky and the Universe. The new institution has received a wide variety of other tributes, as well.

Aside from the top award in the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois, the institution was honoured with the regional Grand prix du tourisme québécois award, the Award of Outstanding Achievement from the Canadian Museums Association and the 2013 Prix d'excellence from the Société des musées québécois and an East-end Montréal Chamber of Commerce ESTim award. PMI-Montréal's project management professionals hailed the project's quality, and the building has received several awards and honourable mentions recognizing its design, innovation and sustainable development. The architectural concept, by the CARDIN RAMIREZ JULIEN + Ædifica consortium, was a winner in the 2013 Contech Innovation and Sustainable Development Awards and in the 2014 Grands prix du design awards in the "Public and Institutional Buildings" and "Use of Wood for Interior Design categories."

About Montréal Space for Life

Montréal Space for Life is made up of four attractions on the same site: the Botanical Garden, Biodôme, Insectarium and Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium. These four prestigious Montréal municipal institutions form Canada's largest natural science museum complex. Together, they are launching a daring, creative urban movement, urging everyone to rethink the connection between humankind and nature and cultivate a new way of living.

For further information and to purchase tickets online, see our website: mtlspaceforlife.ca

SOURCE: Espace pour la vie

Nadine Fortin
Communications Co-ordinator
514 868-3053/514 250-7753
[email protected]

Karine Vendette
Communications Assistant
514 872-2227
[email protected]