A few of the dinosaurs that make Drumheller one of the most unique places on the planet will soon be migrating.
The Dino Arts Committee hasn’t been slowing down with efforts to revitalize the dinosaurs that populate the town. Five dinosaurs will soon be given new homes, others will be given new looks, and the committee is working on bringing even more dinosaurs into town.
The five dinosaurs that are moving include the one in the park by the Civic Centre (where the Miners Memorial will be located), the one hiding in the boulevard by Sublime, two that were in front of the bowling alley, and the large duck-dinosaur that used to sit at the corner of 2nd Street West and 3rd Avenue. The duck-billed dinosaur has been sitting in storage for years.
The new locations will be along Highway 9 South, in front of Shoppers Drug Mart, the southwest corner of the Drumheller Memorial Arena, and at the intersection of 2nd Street West and South Railway Avenue.
“We’re trying to pick places in the valley that are noticeable and where people can easily get to it to stop and take pictures,” said Dino Arts Committee Chair, John Shoff. “From a tourist standpoint, it’s one of the biggest draws for tourist traffic and they bring people to different places.”
On top of moving the dinosaurs, work has already begun on bringing another dinosaur to Drumheller.
Earlier this year, the committee unveiled the dinosaur bench located at the corner of Centre Street and 3rd Avenue.
“The one we put downtown has been a huge hit and has been getting local, regional, and national attention. We’re bringing in a new one in 2013, similar to the one we put in this year. We’re starting on the design and doing fundraising. Our goal is to try to do one a year,” said Shoff.
On July 1, the committee held a fundraiser, with a new truck as the prize, to raise money for further projects. The fundraiser was also a great way for the committee to get feedback from the community. The Dino Arts Committee will be fundraising again at Family Fun Day on August 18.
“It was a good fundraiser for us, but I also thought it was excellent to get feedback from people and see it was something they care about,” said Shoff.
Community support has helped make the committee possible. With the help of volunteers, the dinosaurs that are currently in town are maintained and given a new look every now and then.
“It’s been an ongoing process since we’ve started. We been trying to redo and repair the dinosaurs,” said Shoff. “It’s a good team building exercise. If you plan it right, it’s a lot of fun.”
Groups interested in painting a dinosaur can contact Shoff at 403-823-2983. Once a design is submitted and approved, there is no cost and the Dino Arts Committee supplies all needed materials.
