DrumhellerMail | DrumhellerMail

World's Largest Dinosaur exterior gets fix up

One of Drumheller’s main attractions and a key driver of local economic activity is being refurbished in time for its upcoming 20th anniversary, thanks in part to a federal investment of $200,000 through the Canadian Experiences Fund.
The World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD), an iconic attraction in the heart of the Drumheller Valley, will undergo a scenic transformation of its exterior over the next month—ensuring it remains a key attraction for the Canadian Badlands.
“When Canadians hear the name Drumheller, they instantly think of one thing: dinosaurs. Now, with the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada, this iconic Alberta attraction will undergo a scenic transformation so it can continue to amaze visitors from across Canada and around the world. Projects like these are crucial to helping our tourism sector come roaring back after COVID-19, and residents of the dinosaur capital of the world can rest assured that their government is working with them to do just that.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, MP for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, and Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

Owned and operated by the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce (DDCC), the dinosaur was last repaired and painted in September 2013. Plans for the exterior repair and paint had been underway since last year. In March 2020, the Chamber of Commerce was pleased to learn it would be receiving $200,000 in federal funds to go towards the exterior refurbishment of the dinosaur.

“A Request for Proposals was sent out in March and the DDCC Board of Directors selected F & D Scene Changes Ltd to perform the work. The project is expected to take three weeks to complete, contingent on weather. Our goal is to have the project wrapped up prior to June 30. This fall will be the 20th anniversary for the World’s Largest Dinosaur and we wanted the work complete prior to the upcoming tourism season.”
Heather Bitz, DDCC Executive Director

The Drumheller Valley is widely recognized as the “dinosaur capital of the world.” The fibreglass and steel Tyrannosaurus rex is visible for kilometres. Built in 2000 and 4.5 times larger than a real T-Rex, the dinosaur attracts over 125,000 visitors every year who climb the interior stairs to catch a view of the surrounding badlands.
“Each month, the DDCC allocates 25 per cent of admissions from the dinosaur to a Capital Repair Fund. It is through these Chamber reserves and the federal grant that the $300,000 cost of the project will be covered. The Chamber is proud to be good stewards of these reserves and the federal government funding in completing this project in a fiscally responsible manner. As the WLD ages, the Chamber of Commerce will continue to be diligent about saving funds for future repairs and maintenance to the structure. Dinosaurs are the major tourism draw to our community, and the DDCC wants to ensure the WLD is looking her absolute best for all to enjoy in the years to come.” Jeff Hall, DDCC President
The Canadian Experiences Fund supports communities across Canada as they create and enhance tourism products, facilities and experiences. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) delivers the fund in Western Canada.

Drumheller youth lands sturgeon from Red Deer River

cameron schurner cropped

   A Drumheller youth now has a fishing story that will last him a lifetime.
     Cameron Schnurer is an avid fisherman, and along with his friend Kynan Perry were fishing for anything that would bite near the Rosedale Bridge on Saturday, May 16. He wrestled in a lake sturgeon out of the Red Deer River.
   “I thought I had a big fish on and I told my buddy, and then it jumped completely out of the water,” said Schnurer. “I told my buddy I had a sturgeon, and he didn’t believe me.”
   After about a 40-minute battle he was able to land the fish. He estimated it to be about 4 feet long and weighing about 40 pounds. Schnurer tells the Mail, a Fish and Wildlife Officer was actually on the scene with them when he landed it, and this was the first time the officer had seen one.
   “I had heard about people catching them back in the day, but not now,” said Schnurer.
   Lake sturgeon are the largest game fish in Alberta and are protected throughout the province. They can grow to over 7 feet and the Alberta record is 105 pounds. They can live to be over 100 years old.
   They are one of the most ancient still living actinopterygian fishes. Schnurer says when he picked up the fish it felt like sandpaper.
   While they are a rare sight today, there are quite a few fishing stories about catching them in the Red Deer River or seeing them swimming near the powerplant in Drumheller.
   Kevin Blanchett recalls when he was just a young boy, he was hunting for frogs with his brother one spring along the river bank when a sturgeon came close and snatched up a frog right in front of their eyes, and then swam away with its dorsal fin sticking out of the water looking like a shark.
   Another story he recalls is Gino Pozzo catching one and putting it in the bathtub so others could take a look at the fish.
   Barry Pozzo confirms this. He said his father Gino had a line in one evening near Midland. His sister was riding her bike and saw the line moving. She went home and alerted her dad, he came out and pulled it.
   This was in about the late 1960’s so the sturgeon wasn‘t protected and a few days later Joe Clozza helped them clean and cut up the fish.
    Now Schnurer has a story he can tell his grandkids, about the May Long Weekend he caught a sturgeon.

Playgrounds, outdoors rec facilities to open by Saturday

Council approved the reopening of all playgrounds and outdoor recreation facilities in Drumheller, with restrictions.

Council approved the move at its May 25 council meeting. This includes tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, the D.A.S.E. Skateboard Park, and community playgrounds. The Town anticipates all outdoor recreation facilities will be open by noon on Saturday, May 30.

“I remind users that these amenities will not be sanitized. Please review the guidelines provided by Alberta Health prior to use. Where clear direction is not specified, we ask you to use discretion and make responsible choices,” said Incident Commander, Greg Peters.

The ability to keep facilities open will be solely dependant on the community’s compliance with the provincial guidelines. Some of the guidelines include:

· Clean and disinfect toys and sports equipment before and after use.

· Caution should be taken around playground equipment. Unorganized, non-contact sport only. Scrimmage and league sports are still restricted.

· Activities in public spaces should not include the sharing of common equipment unless the individuals are from the same household. Practice good hygiene: wash and sanitize hands often.

· Choose activities that do not include contact with other individuals.

“We are aware with the warmer weather arriving that enjoying the outdoors is a great boost for the community, as well as helping with individual mental health,” said Mayor Heather Colberg. “There will be signage at our sites to remind users what is and what is not okay. I want to remind everyone that we are still under provincial public health emergency as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Please continue to practice social distancing and be careful, compassionate, and caring.”