The fate of Tyra the Tyrannosaurus remains uncertain, yet she continues to have a significant impact on Drumheller’s upcoming municipal election. AJ Frey, a local entrepreneur behind a petition with 25,000 signatures to preserve the 25-meter-tall tourist attraction, is vying for a seat on the town council. He asserts that Tyra is his running mate on the ballot, believing that associating himself with the dinosaur gives him a strategic advantage by being easily recognizable as “the dinosaur guy.”
Frey aims to utilize Tyra as a symbol to emphasize the importance of community engagement in decision-making processes concerning broader civic issues. He advocates for improved communication between the town and its residents. The voting date is scheduled for October 20, preceding an ongoing engineering assessment on the future of Tyra.
As an iconic landmark that has loomed over the dinosaur-themed town for 25 years, Tyra attracts 150,000 visitors annually and serves as a backdrop for countless photos and selfies. Tourists can ascend 106 stairs within Tyra’s structure to stand inside her mouth and enjoy scenic views. Adjacent to Tyra, an ice cream stand sells fossils, T-shirts, and dinosaur-themed toys.
Drumheller, with a population of 8,400, promotes itself as the dinosaur capital of the world, boasting attractions like the Royal Tyrrell Museum and dinosaur statues reminiscent of the Flintstones. Speculation arose in March when the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, the attraction’s owner, announced plans to dismantle Tyra in 2029 when the lease expires, sparking public outcry, including Frey’s petition for preservation.
A current engineering study aims to determine the necessary renovations and associated costs for Tyra’s restoration. Lana Phillips, the incumbent chamber president and a mayoral candidate, acknowledges Tyra’s significance in the election discourse, emphasizing the need for informed decision-making based on community feedback and data analysis.
The outgoing Drumheller mayor, Heather Colberg, expressed frustration over the pending engineering report, noting her efforts to resolve the issue before her term ends. Colberg emphasized the importance of preserving Tyra as a community asset and vowed to continue advocating for the iconic structure’s retention beyond her tenure.