Drumheller dinosaur decision was ‘a bit of shock,’ council says

The world’s largest dinosaur in Drumheller is possibly leaving. The gang at Virgin Radio weighs in!

The Town of Drumheller says more discussion needs to be had about the future of Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, an iconic landmark for the Alberta community.

The town’s council held a special meeting on Thursday night after hearing about the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce’s decision to close the attraction at the end of its lease in December 2029.

Most of the half-hour-long meeting was conducted privately, after which council decided that more discussions need to happen.

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“This was all a bit of shock to everyone,” said Coun. Crystal Sereda following the closed-door session.

“(We’re) trying to go through it all and come up with questions. I think our administration and the teams at all those three organizations are going to be able to have a discussion about this and that’s our goal.”

Sereda says she was told by the chamber that the land the World’s Largest Dinosaur sits on is owned by the city and is part of a master plan for Drumheller’s parks and recreation department.

“That has not been determined,” she said during the meeting. “The future of that area, we are uncertain at this time.”

There is a possibility that the chamber could extend the lease past 2029, for another five years, council said.

“It’s obvious that we need to meet with the chamber and Travel Drumheller over this issue,” said Coun. Tom Zariski.

“Tyra has been there for 25 years now. We’re not quite sure what the life expectancy of her will be but we look forward to that discussion.”

According to the chamber, when the lease agreement with the town ends in 2029, there is a clause that will require the dismantling of Tyra.

It said the sculpture, which is 25 metres tall and weighs 65 tonnes, is too large to move and the material it is made of – mainly steel and fiberglass – make that an even more difficult task.

“We are not exploring re-location options at this time,” the chamber said.

“We know this eventual change may be difficult for some. As the owners of the World’s Largest Dinosaur and gift shop, and operators of the visitor information centre, we have secured a land lease extension through to 2029.

“We are not interested in continuing the lease beyond that time.”

Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg said she only learned about the chamber’s decision on Wednesday evening.

“I know there are people who are upset with the town and (think) it’s our fault, but the reality of it is we only really found out about this.

“I ask for the patience of the community to allow us to absorb this, do our homework, find out what the one-, three-, five-year plan is from the chamber, so we can do some reacting and figure out what the direction is for the town.”

Council will now hold meetings with the chamber and Travel Drumheller about the next steps.