They are the pride of the community, but as of late, they are looking a little run down. For visitors, the concrete models of dinosaurs throughout town are a unique feature to be photographed and identify Drumheller as being the Dinosaur Capital of the World. For residents, they are a source of pride and identity.
The long winter has led to cracking and peeling of paint on a number of the dinosaurs. There is also graffiti and possible vandalism damage on a few more. Recently, it was decided the large dinosaur, sponsored by The Brick would have to be retired.
A committee of the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce is looking to restore the dinosaurs back to show quality and maybe even add a few more.
Ed Mah is on the committee and says while it is a committee of the chamber they welcome anyone who is interested in restoring the dinosaurs.
“Our goal right now, first and foremost, is the refurbishment of the dinosaurs we have, so we are going through and making sure they are all fixed up and giving them a fresh coat of paint,” said Mah. “We are also looking at fundraising so we can purchase more dinosaurs.”
He said they have started the fundraising campaign, and expects there will be some events in the near future.
“It is something we hope will be ongoing so we can continue to build our inventory of dinosaurs,” he said.
Mah said they hope to acquire a variety of new dinosaurs; from the realistic to the cartoonish style.
“We are going all over the board, and some of them are literally going to be art pieces,” he said.
The existing 33 dinosaurs in Drumheller are under the stewardship of the Chamber of Commerce. About 20 of the dinosaurs are sponsored by local businesses. These sponsorship funds are pooled for the maintenance of the dinosaurs.
Mah said the funds from the program are not sufficient to maintain the dinosaurs, and indicates they may have to change the program.
He said a number of community groups are being supportive and says the Drumheller Institution is looking at doing an art piece in its metal shop.
“It's exciting, it started with talking about refurbishing what we have and it grew from there,” he said. “We have big aspirations at this moment, and I am hoping we are able to pull through.”
He hopes to get more of the community involved.
“We are looking for those who are interested in helping out from a physical standpoint to a painting standpoint or fundraising, we’ll take it all,” he said. “It could be someone with a creative idea, and they are more than welcome to sit in and share and be a part of it.”
He adds the importance of the dinosaurs to the town is not lost on the committee.
“We are known for the dinosaurs, we can’t shake that, we have to embrace it. With that spirit in mind we want to build our inventory of dinosaurs and spread them from one end of the valley to the other,” he said.
For more information, contact committee member John Shoff at 403-823-2983.
