The Town of Drumheller is calling a Special Meeting of Council on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 4:00 PM to address the unexpected announcement that the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce will be decommissioning Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD)—one of the community’s most beloved landmarks.
The Chamber has notified the Town that its lease on the building will conclude in December 2029 and has indicated it will not seek renewal. Under the lease agreement, the Chamber is the sole owner of the WLD and is responsible for its construction, maintenance, operations, and any future decisions regarding its decommissioning.
“This news came as a shock, as the Town was not made aware of this decision until it was publicly announced last night at the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual General Meeting,” said Mayor Heather Colberg. “Given the significance of the World’s Largest Dinosaur to our community and tourism industry, we will be holding a Special Meeting of Council to discuss the impacts of this decision and explore next steps.”
The Drumheller Valley remains a world-class tourism destination with several tourism attractions that support businesses in the valley. The Town, alongside Travel Drumheller, will continue to promote and support local tourism initiatives, ensuring that the Valley remains a premier attraction for visitors from around the world.
The majority of this meeting will be held in-camera, with a motion coming from Council as a result.
Town of Drumheller Communications

The Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) today announced that the iconic World’s Largest Dinosaur (WLD), known affectionately as Tyra, along with its adjoining gift shop and visitor information centre, will close at the end of the current lease term in December 2029. This decision follows a strategic planning process conducted by the Chamber.

For 25 years, Tyra has been a towering symbol of Drumheller’s rich connection to dinosaur history and tourism, attracting visitors from around the world. Tyra weighs in at 65 tonnes and stands at 25 metres, more than four times bigger than a real Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“While this announcement is a difficult one, it’s also an opportunity for the Chamber to refocus on our core mission: supporting local businesses, advocating on their behalf and fostering economic growth in Drumheller,” said Lana Phillips, President of the Chamber. “We invite the community and visitors to make the most of the remaining years to create lasting memories with Tyra.”

Over the coming years, the Chamber will work with Travel Drumheller, The Town of Drumheller, businesses and residents to commemorate Tyra in the community and work to ensure that visitors continue to come to Drumheller and support local businesses.

A dinosaur statue with blue sky with World's Largest Dinosaur in the background AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur, located in Drumheller, stands at 25 metres tall and weighs in at 65 tonnes. Photo: Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce.

Preserving Tyra’s Legacy

Since its construction in 2000, the World’s Largest Dinosaur has been more than a tourist attraction—it has been a community cornerstone. Through the WLD Legacy Fund, proceeds from admissions and gift shop sales have been reinvested into local community projects, with $40,000 contributed in 2024 alone. The Chamber is committed to working with partners to explore ways to preserve this legacy even after the attraction’s closure.

“Tyra’s story isn’t ending—it’s evolving,” said Heather Bitz, Executive Director of the Chamber. “We’ll be looking for ways to honour the memories, stories, and community impact that Tyra has created over the years.”

The Chamber will ensure that Tyra’s legacy continues to benefit Drumheller long after her final visitors. The Chamber will explore ways to memorialize Tyra’s impact through community initiatives, storytelling and potential commemorative projects. By preserving the stories and symbols tied to Tyra, the Chamber aims to create lasting reminders of her role in shaping Drumheller’s identity, growth and support for local businesses.

For updates and FAQs regarding the closure, please visit www.drumhellerchamber.com.