MUSEUM ATTENDANCE IN SWIFT CURRENT SPIKES WITH ROYAL SASKATCHEWAN MUSEUM TRAVELLING EXHIBIT

Attendance at the Swift Current Museum has doubled since the Royal Saskatchewan Museum's latest travelling exhibit, "Hunter of the prairie sea" opened on May 10. The number of visitors, between May 10 and June 4, increased from 259 in 2009 to nearly 500 in 2010.

This exhibit features a 10-metre-long fossil of a marine reptile called a tylosaur which was discovered along the south shore of Lake Diefenbaker in 1994. The tylosaur is nicknamed "Omaciw", which is the Cree word for hunter. The "Omaciw" exhibit also introduces visitors to the marine environment that existed in Saskatchewan 70 million years ago.

"Hunter of the prairie sea has created a lot of public interest in Swift Current and district," Swift Current Museum Curator and Director Hugh Henry said. "Visitors are amazed when they view the fossil. Many school classes are booked to see the exhibit in June, as well. We are thankful for the support received from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, which has helped make this exhibit such a success."

This exhibit meets the mandate of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum which is to increase interest and knowledge about Saskatchewan's history through its research, programs and exhibits.

"Community museums play an important role in helping people learn about Saskatchewan's fossil history," Royal Saskatchewan Museum Acting Director Harold Bryant said. "The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is pleased to support these museums through its Creatures of Saskatchewan's Ancient Seas travelling exhibit program."

Tourism Week, which runs from June 6 to 12, is an opportunity to draw attention to Saskatchewan's wealth of fossil resources. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum's travelling exhibit program contributes to local tourism. Since 2005, an exhibit featuring the skull of "Scotty" the Tyrannosaurus rex has been travelling to Saskatchewan destinations, showcasing the province's dinosaur history. The "Scotty" exhibit has been well received and has also resulted in more visits to host venues. The increased number of visitors going to see "Scotty" and "Omaciw" result in an economic benefit to both the museums and the local communities.

For more information on the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and its travelling exhibit program visit www.royalsaskmuseum.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Hugh Henry
Swift Current Museum
Swift Current
Phone: 306-778-2775
Email: h.henry@swiftcurrent.ca

Penny Pedersen
Tourism Parks Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-798-8761
Email: Penny.Pedersen@gov.sk.ca