Deliberation between the two parties was initiated last September in an effort to restore the Trust’s status as manager of the museum, which was promptly terminated in February 2013 after the Park Service rescinded its cooperative agreement with the city of Vancouver over the maintenance, operation and administration of the museum.
Speaking on behalf of the Trust in a press statement, Board of Trustees Chair Steve Horenstein said certain provisions that affect the financial viability of the museum remain unresolved. Due to a confidentiality agreement, he was unable to provide the details of those provisions.
Additionally, Horenstein said the lapse in museum operations has significantly damaged the sustainable operations plan that the Trust had successfully implemented over an eight-year period.
“Returning to the museum is not as simple as just resuming operations,” he said. “Having been out of the facilities for more than a year means that we essentially would have to start from the beginning, developing new funding and establishing the revenue streams necessary to again become sustainable.”
While the Trust will not be returning to the Pearson Air Museum, Horenstein said it will continue to operate its educational programs and Aviation Summer Camps at the Pearson Field Education Center, as well as its outreach activities and partnerships throughout the metro area.
The Park Service did not respond to a request for comments at press time.
This story will be updated.
