A 25-metre-tall dinosaur sculpture that has long been the crown jewel of Drumheller’s tourism industry will soon be extinct.
The Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce says the World’s Largest Dinosaur attraction, also known as Tyra, will close at the end of its current lease in December 2029.
The gift shop and visitor information centre are also set to close.
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“While this announcement is a difficult one, it’s also an opportunity for the Chamber to refocus on our core mission: supporting local businesses, advocating on their behalf and fostering economic growth in Drumheller,” said Lana Phillips, president of the Chamber, in a release.
Tyra, a 65-tonne sculpture that’s more than four times larger than an actual Tyrannosaurus Rex, was installed 25 years ago.
Officials say the attraction has been a cornerstone for the community, investing thousands in admission and gift shop sales back into the community.
The Chamber says it is committed to working to preserve Tyra’s legacy for years to come.
“Tyra’s story isn’t ending—it’s evolving,” said Heather Bitz, executive director of the Chamber.
“We’ll be looking for ways to honour the memories, stories, and community impact that Tyra has created over the years.”
In the years leading up to the end of the lease, the Chamber will be looking at ways to memorialize Tyra and preserve the stories and symbols connected to the site.
“We invite the community and visitors to make the most of the remaining years to create lasting memories with Tyra,” Phillips said.
In 2020, a federal grant helped pay for a repaint of the attraction. That same year, a digital 3D mapping company used a handheld scanner to capture an image of Tyra.
Last year, officials hosted a Guinness World Record attempt to have the most people dressed as dinosaurs gathered in a single place.
The attempt was found to be unsuccessful due to a technicality, despite having more than 3,000 people dressed up.
