Cast of dinosaur skull sent to Alberta community after efforts of business owner

More than 60 years ago, a five-foot-long dinosaur skull was discovered near Irvine, Alta., and after the efforts of a local business owner, a cast of it has been sent to the community.

Pauline Guilletsays the skull was unearthed and sent tothe Canadian Museum of Nature in the1950s. In2001, the museum named the dinosaur "chasmosaurusirvinensis,"after thecommunity.

However, the hamlet east of Medicine Hatnever received a replicaof the skull until Guillet started making inquiries.

"I've been doing research on this since I've known there was a dinosaur that was found. So Ithought, you know, let's bring some positivity to Irvine, let's bring it some life," she toldThe Homestretch.

Guillet had been looking through different avenues for about 10 to 12 years, and just last year she was able to contact the national museum, which fronted the cost of the replica and shipment.

She says it was important to her sinceevery place that has a dinosaur find in their areais entitled to a cast or replica.

"Irvine is very tiny community in southern Alberta and we've lost a lot of business and people over the years. It's made everyone sort of excited, and I'm excited to see everyone come through," she said

The skull is sitting in theirsenior club, but Guillet hopes that after some fundraising, they can get a display room for the piece in the community's museum.

"We're hoping it might boost some tourism in regards to Irvineand maybe givea boost to the companieswe do have here," she said.

With files from The Homestretch.