The Town of Drumheller has moved to engage with the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce and Travel Drumheller to explore options for the future of the World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD), known locally as Tyra, after the Chamber’s announcement that the iconic landmark will be decommissioned in December 2029.
Related Stories:
During a special council meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025, the council unanimously passed a motion to engage key stakeholders to determine one-, three-, and five-year plans that could secure Tyra’s future.
"As for the motion, we will meet with Travel Drumheller and the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce to determine the one, three, five-year plan so we can make some concrete decisions for the future," said Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg.
Town of Drumheller’s Press Release and Special Meeting
The council’s decision on Thursday came just one day after the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 26, at which the closure of Tyra was publicly announced, with an accompanying news release.
The Town issued its own press release on Thursday prior to the special council meeting, expressing shock over the Chamber’s decision and calling for a special council meeting to assess the impacts.
"This news came as a shock, as the Town was not made aware of this decision until it was publicly announced last night at the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting," said Colberg in the Town’s press release. "Given the significance of the World’s Largest Dinosaur to our community and tourism industry, we will be holding a Special Meeting of Council to discuss the impacts of this decision and explore next steps."
Later that day, a special council meeting was held, at which officials acknowledged their surprise at the Chamber’s decision and expressed concerns about the implications for local tourism and community identity.
"... This was all a bit of a shock to everyone today," said town officials. "Trying to go through it all and coming up with questions, and I think our administration and the team at all those three organizations are going to be able to have a discussion about this, and that's our goal."
Councillor Patrick Kolafa sought clarification on the Chamber’s lease, expressing surprise that the agreement had not been extended despite an open-ended option.
"I just wanted a little bit of clarification in learning about this as such a surprise that we do have a lease with them up until 2029—but they still have the ability to extend that, if indeed they like. It's open-ended, and as such..."
Councillor Tom Zariski emphasized the need to engage with the Chamber and Travel Drumheller to assess long-term strategies.
"I think it's obvious that we have to meet with the Chamber and Travel Drumheller over this issue. 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."
Colberg reiterated that council was not made aware of the decision until the AGM and urged patience from the community.
"I ask the patience of the community to allow us time to absorb this, do our homework, and figure out what the one, three, and five-year plan is for the Chamber so that we can do some reacting and figure out what the direction is for the town.”
Chamber’s Original Announcement and Rationale
The Chamber confirmed at the March 26 AGM that Tyra will be decommissioned after its lease expires in December 2029. The 25-metre-tall, 65-tonne structure, alongside the adjoining visitor information centre and gift shop, will cease operations at that time.
The decision, according to Chamber officials, aligns with their long-term strategic planning and a renewed focus on local business advocacy and economic development.
"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, Chamber president, in a statement.
Why Relocation Isn’t Feasible
Suggestions from the community to relocate Tyra have been dismissed by the Chamber due to structural and logistical challenges.
"Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, is indeed large. She is 25 metres tall and weighs 65 tonnes," stated the Chamber's FAQ. "The steel and aging fiberglass construction makes the dinosaur even more difficult to move. We are not exploring relocation options at this time."
The Chamber confirmed that Tyra will remain safe for visitors to climb, with ongoing maintenance and regular safety inspections continuing until her decommissioning.
Tourism Concerns and Economic Impact
With Tyra drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually—many of whom also visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum—concerns have been raised about the potential impact on Drumheller’s tourism economy.
The Chamber acknowledged these concerns but emphasized that key partners like Travel Drumheller and the Town of Drumheller will play an instrumental role in ensuring continued tourism growth after Tyra’s departure.
"Key partners like Travel Drumheller and the Town of Drumheller will be instrumental in driving tourism to the town. The future is very bright," Chamber officials stated in their FAQ.
Financial Contributions via the WLD Legacy Fund
Since its construction in 2000, Tyra has generated significant financial contributions to the community through the WLD Legacy Fund, funded by admission fees and gift shop sales.
The fund invested $40,000 in the community in 2024, with another $40,000 commitment for 2025. As Tyra's closure approaches, adjustments and future planning for the fund will be discussed.
Next Steps: Honouring Tyra’s Legacy Before 2029
The Chamber has committed to ensuring that Tyra’s legacy lives on, with plans to collect community stories, photos, and memories before her decommissioning.
"We’ll be looking for ways to honour the memories, stories, and community impact that Tyra has created over the years," said Chamber executive director Heather Bitz.
"Tyra’s story isn’t ending—it’s evolving."
Petition to Save Tyra Gains Momentum
As news of Tyra’s potential dismantling spread, a Change.org petition titled "Save Our Dinosaur! Help Us Keep the World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller" was launched by Drumheller resident AJ Frey on March 27, 2025, the same day as the council’s special meeting.
"We’re a new Drumheller family who fell in love with this incredible town—the scenery, the spirit, and the people,” Frey wrote in the petition. “Like so many others, we were drawn here by Dinosaurs and not just the old ones—The Biggest One! The World’s Largest Dinosaur—a towering symbol of adventure, discovery, and the heart of our tourism economy."
The petition calls on the Chamber to reconsider decommissioning Tyra and invites the community to explore alternative solutions, including fundraising and seeking another operator to manage the attraction.
"TYRA NEEDS US! If Tyra requires upgrades or ongoing maintenance, let's openly discuss solutions," Frey wrote. "Perhaps another community-led organization can step forward to manage her. Let's explore these possibilities together."
Council’s Motion to Explore Future Options
With the community rallying behind Tyra and concerns mounting over tourism and economic impacts, the council approved a motion to engage with the Chamber and Travel Drumheller to determine long-term strategies for maintaining Drumheller’s status as a premier tourist destination.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM.
DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app.