Larry Ewashen, curator for the Doukhobor Discovery Centre is leaving after serving 20 years at the museum.

At the City of Castlegar council meeting held last Tuesday, Bob Ewashen, president of the Doukhobor Discovery Centre, told council Ewashen’s resignation could mean that the centre may have to close if it can’t find a replacement.

"We hope to find a suitable replacement by then, but if we are not successful we are considering invoking our dissolution clause, in which case all assets of the Kootenay Doukhobor Historical Society will revert to the City of Castlegar," said Ewashen.

"In any event, we urge the city to give serious consideration for the funding of the curator position to overlap the last incumbent’s tenure. This opportunity to become cognizant respecting the operation of the museum would permit a smooth transition with minimal loss of ground," Ewashen added.

The irony of the possible closure of the museum is that the museum’s success may be the catalyst of its demise.

"We have become victims of our own success as the scope of the present operation now requires a professional director similar in expertise to Larry Ewashen and is beyond the capability management of a volunteer board."

That success comes by way of the centre’s most successful season to date.

According to Bob Ewashen, despite a poor economy and subsequent dwindling tourist numbers in other museums, the Doukhobor Museum has consecutively seen increased tourism for the past eight years.

With visitors from Chili, Murmansk, the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Hawaiian Islands, and a record 39 bus tours this season, Ewashen said the museum is in a unique position compared to others across the nation.

While the city was non-committal in response to the plea for bridge funding, Councillor Deb McIntosh did thank Larry Ewashen for his many years of service.

"What you have been able to provide has been real good. You have brought the museum up to a very good standard."