Representatives from the town’s DinoArts Committee attended Drumheller Town Council Monday Evening.
John Shoff, Ryan Semchuk and Ava Wheeler, representing DinoArts, gave a presentation to Council April 28.
They noted that DinoArts was originally a subcommittee of the Chamber of Commerce, but was split off to be the main fundraising arm for the preservation and enhancement of the dinosaur statues around town and the installation of new dinosaur statues.
The Chamber of Commerce owns the dinosaurs and is responsible for their insurance costs, which Council heard are quite significant.
DinoArts listed their three main projects:
The Calgary Zoo Dinosaurs relocation, delayed because of the Calgary June 2013 flood, estimated arrival date is 2019. There will be costs incurred to transport the structures to Drumheller.
The new Coal Miner dinosaur, which will be installed across the Gordon Taylor Bridge in front of Country Road RV. The project was sourced locally to Palcoprep, and the Atlas Coal Mine is providing a genuine coal car for the installation.
Fundraising events, specifically July 1 and DinoFest, where participants can paint a piece of the dinosaur in front of Memorial Arena. DinoArts also hopes to hold barbecues for fundraisers.
The delegation then presented “Our Town Requests”, with four items.
To set-up an agreement with the Town for maintenance and repair of “Dinnie”, the dinosaur at Rotary Spray Park. This was agreed to, and the Mayor will send a confirmation letter to DinoArts. The Town retains ownership.
DinoArts would like to secure a work in-kind arrangement from the Town for future projects.
The committee invites a Council member to join thier Board.
DinoArts requests an open dialogue about possible financial investment, such as the Town matching the Chamber of Commerce’s $10,000.
Councillor Zariski congratulated the committee on all the work they’ve done, then the DinoArts representatives answered a number of questions from the councillors.
There are 36 statues DinoArts looks after, and they aim to locate them in high tourist areas.
The committee is working with the school for the grade eight class to take on painting the dinosaurs, but volunteers would prep the statues first.
