| World's Largest Dinosaur | |
| Location: | 60 1 Avenue, Drumheller, Alberta, Canada |
| Material: | fiberglass and steel |
| Length: | 46m (151feet) |
| Height: | 26.3m (86.3feet) |
| Weight: | 66000kg (146,000lb) |
| Dedicated: | October 13, 2001 |
| Website: | worldslargestdinosaur.com |
The "World's Largest Dinosaur" is a roadside tourist attraction shaped like a modelTyrannosaurus rex, situated in the Town of Drumheller, Alberta, Canada. The World's Largest Dinosaur is one of several dinosaur-related attractions in Drumheller and the surrounding areas, including Dinosaur Provincial Park.
The model Tyrannosaurus was constructed of fiberglass and steel, with a height of 26.3m (86.3feet) and a length of 46m (151feet),[1] considerably larger than the largest known specimens of the actual dinosaur, known as Sue which reached up to 12.8m (42feet) in length,[2] and up to 4m (13feet) tall at the hips.[3]
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is one of several dinosaur-related attractions in the town of Drumheller, which is located in the Badlands of east-central Alberta along the Red Deer River, approximately 135km (84miles) northeast of Calgary. Drumheller is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, housing over 160,000 cataloged fossils and showcasing a collection of approximately 800 fossils as exhibits. The Town of Drumheller features numerous pieces of public art in the form of dinosaur models that are placed throughout the community.[4]
The World's Largest Dinosaur took approximately three years to complete, which including a design stage, groundbreaking on October 2, 1999, and a grand opening on October 13, 2001.[5] The dinosaur was built during the term of former Drumheller Mayor Phil Bryant. Each month 15 percent of the revenue generated by visitors to the World's Largest Dinosaur and the attached gift shop is directed to the World's Largest Dinosaur Legacy Fund, which reinvests funds into community economic development initiatives. The sculpture weights 145000lb, 65000lb of which is steel. Visitors climb 106 stairs from the gift shop to the viewing area in the dinosaur's mouth, which is approximately 60square feet and can hold between 8 and 12 people at a time.
On August 27, 2018, the World's Largest Dinosaur welcomed its two-millionth visitor 18 years after the structure was opened in 2000.[6] In 2020 the World's Largest Dinosaur underwent a CA$300,000 restoration which was partially funded by the Government of Canada through the Canadian Experiences Fund. The restoration will include a new coat of paint on the dinosaur.[7]