Another prehistoric creature will soon find a permanent home at Rotary Spray Park in coming weeks as the Rotary Club has purchased a 14-foot pterodactyl re-creation to be used as shade in the busy park.
The pterodactyl, properly known as a pteranodon, was built by Dinosaur Valley Studios of East Coulee and will be installed on a pole just north of the fountain at the park.
Past Rotary president Doug Stanford said the idea was sparked from patrons of the park and the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Requests were made to the club to build a shelter for shade at the open park, and Stanford attended a speaker series at the museum on the subject of pteranodons.
“I kind of thought with a big wing span like that it could create shade and fit the theme of the park,” said Stanford.
Pteranodons, which are not related to dinosaurs, included some of the largest known flying reptiles, with wingspans over 6 metres.
Dinosaur Valley Studios’ Frank Hadfield said the piece will be stylized but basically the same anatomically as the real thing, as much as the fossil records shows. This particular pteranodon had no teeth, was covered with short hairs, and largely subsisted on fish which were caught from the water much like an albatross.
“There are more pteranodons portrayed in movies than any other species of pterosaur. They are the most common species found, and there have been fragments of the largest found here in Alberta,” Hadfield said.
The installation will serve as a pilot project for the Rotary Club, with past president Stanford saying there is room for expansion later on with more pieces.
The project cost Rotary Club nearly $6,000. It is made from perforated metal with a spray armor coat which resists rust and fading as well as provides strength against wind and snow.