Vancouver Island war museum closing as visitors drop — but staff not giving up hope

The HMCS Alberni Museum and Memorial in Courtenay, which honors the 59 crew members who lost their lives during the Second World War, is set to close its doors on November 11. The museum's founder and executive director, Lewis Bartholomew, announced the closure due to years of declining visitor numbers and revenue. Formerly located in a small mall on Cliffe Avenue, the museum has faced numerous challenges over the years, including flash floods, arson attacks, and frequent relocations.

However, the recent drop in visitors, from 6,000 to 7,000 per year to just 759 last year, has proven to be the final straw.

Bartholomew revealed that the museum's staff, who volunteer their time, struggled to cover the mounting bills out of their own pockets. Although the museum was initially intended as a temporary space for the area's homeless population, the lease was extended for six years. Despite knowing the need for housing, the museum's operators assumed the Connect Temporary Shelter and Service Hub would be there for only six to twelve months, before moving on.

As the situation worsened, the board decided to liquidate the museum, but ultimately decided to preserve the space as an official Canadian Veterans Memorial.

The closure has left many artifacts entrusted by families to the museum, which the staff does not want to give up. Instead, they plan to restructure and reevaluate their programs, including converting exhibits into portable ones to tour other museums and festivals on Vancouver Island. The museum will remain open until sunset on Remembrance Day, with a ceremony of bells of peace at 5:30 PM, where attendees can ring the bell for their loved ones.

To secure a permanent location, the museum is seeking funding from a foundation or an individual benefactor.