Dan Reynish/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

TOURISM

Drumheller’s iconic ‘World’s Largest Dinosaur’ set to close in 2029, shocking town council

Mar 27, 2025 | 5:00 PM

Yet another dinosaur could go extinct.

Drumheller’s iconic World’s Largest Dinosaur — known as Tyra — will close at the end of the current lease term in December 2029, the local chamber of commerce said Thursday.

The 65-tonne, 25-metre tall Tyra, four times bigger than the real Tyrannosaurus Rex its modelled after, was built in 2000 and has become a big part of the town’s “dinosaur capital of the world” moniker.

It’s one of several dinosaur-related attractions in the town and the surrounding areas, which includes Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce said its decision comes after a “strategic planning process” and amid the town’s long-term development plans for the site. The closure will include an adjoining gift shop and information centre, as well.

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Town Coun. Crystal Sereda, at an urgent council meeting called Thursday, dismissed the chamber’s claim that the town has development objectives for the area the dinosaur attraction currently occupies.

“That actually has not been determined yet,” Sereda said.

“The future of that area we are uncertain at this time and that’s something council and administration will be working through.”

Heather Bitz, the chamber’s executive director, said deliberations over Tyra’s future have been taking place for year and that it’s always had a lifespan.

In a statement, she noted the closure aligns with the five-year lease extension the chamber sign with the town.

Mayor Heather Colberg said town was unaware of the chamber’s decision to shut down Tyra until it was first made public at an annual general meeting Wednesday evening.

Colburg, in a statement, said “we are deeply saddened to hear of this news.”

“The town supports the chamber’s decision to focus on its core activities; supporting and advocating for local businesses, while stepping away from operating a tourism attraction,” the mayor added.

An online petition from new Drumheller resident AJ Frey posted Thursday called on the town to save the dinosaur.

“We deeply respect the chamber’s decision to refocus on their core mandate, but we passionately believe Tyra’s story doesn’t need to end here,” Frey wrote.

“With collaboration, creativity, and community support, we can ensure she remains standing tall and welcoming visitors for generations to come. We believe there is still time and opportunity to work together — to find sustainable, community-driven solutions that preserve this beloved landmark.”

Travel Drumheller, the town’s tourism agency, said plans for a “special birthday bash” to mark Tyra’s 25th year will still take place on Oct. 11.

Thousands of people flocked to Drumheller last year to attempt breaking the world record for the most amount of people dressed as dinosaurs. The attempt was not officially successful because the crowd wasn’t counted properly.

— With files from Dan Reynish