The Doukhobor Discovery Centre is pleased to announce the conclusion of another successful season. For the sixth year in a row attendance increased, and despite cost saving efforts resulting in a decrease in advertising, there has not been an effect on attendance. The reason for this appears to be the general word of mouth reputation of the site as an interpretative centre as well as a singularly effective website which consistently receives thousands of hits from around the world.

This year visitors were invited to indicate their origin by placing a pin on a world map. The result was an amazing 219 pins placed ranging from Victoria Island in Canada's north to Tierra del Fuego on the tip of South America, laterally the outside perimeters ranged from Alaska to the Chuckchi Sea in East Siberia, including such exotic spots such as Kyrgystan, Sumatra, Hawaii and New Zealand.

Over 20 major tours took place, including the hosting of over 100 Chinese tourists at the Bistro for lunch and several Rotary tours from England as well as various school tours, some from as far away as Nakusp. Other highlights included dignitary visits such as Senator Pat Carney, Minister Monty Solberg and Jim Abbot, Federal MP. The Centre also received a special certificate from Communities in Bloom for exceptional participation.

Research continued with additions to the photo and audio archive which now numbers in excess of 6,000 files. These consist of photos, documents, autochromes, book scans, music elements etc. A student working on her Master's thesis at the University of Toronto did research here, and a Master's thesis on the Doukhobor Dugout House from the University of Saskatchewan was deposited into our archives.

We have been engaged in three major projects; The Implement Restoration Project, in which we are restoring the aging implements, The Psalmist Project, the recording and documentation of archaic psalms and hymns of the Doukhobors, and our major exhibit for next year, The 100th Commemoration of the Doukhobor move from Saskatchewan to British Columbia.

In addition to the City of Castlegar we have received funding from The Columbia Basin Trust, the Leon & Thea Koerner Foundation, Columbia Power Corporation, The British Columbia Arts Council, Cominco, Pope & Talbot and individual donations. Admissions and gallery sales accounted for about one quarter of our budget.

As a result with various meetings with BC Heritage, we have begun the process of being included on the BC Register of Historic Places and the Canadian Register of Historic Places. Some Council members of the City have been participating in this initiative and we hope that we will cooperatively create a Community Heritage Register, which will then include other historic sites in our area as well as the Doukhobor Discovery Centre. For us, it will open some additional funding opportunities.

1908 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Doukhobor movement to this area from Saskatchewan, and we are planning special exhibits and events in anticipation that the surrounding areas will participate in this important anniversary.

We look forward to continued success in the coming year, and would like to thank those whose support makes it possible for this important centre to continue to enhance the cultural and heritage life of community members and our visitors.