After nine years at the helm of Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Barry Dyck has announced 2018 will be his last.

In announcing his retirement at Wednesday's annual general meeting, Dyck says it is time to lay to rest the rumours that have been circulating around the coffee shops.

(Barry Dyck is applauded for his years of service Wednesday evening.)Dyck came to the museum in February of 2009. Museum President Willie Peters says he inherited a debt of $1.5 million and at the time they were running an annual deficit. Dyck says one of the strategic priorities at the museum has always revolved around financial health and the board gave him no choice but to make that a priority. Nine years later, Peters says Dyck has invested countless hours and helped the museum turn around its financial situation.

Dyck says retirement is something he has been mulling for quite some time. He has decided to stay around until the end of 2018 and says after that it is time to focus more attention on his personal life. That includes spending more time with his grandchildren, giving more attention to his yard and exploring some genealogy work. Dyck says about 20 years ago his mother wrote a family history book and it is time that book gets updated.

(MHV President Willie Peters)According to Dyck, ever since he became Executive Director, the board has talked about fixing up the Waldheim House. That dream became reality in 2017 and Dyck considers that a major highlight of the last nine years.

Peters notes Dyck has a way of getting people involved. And for him, that means recognizing the importance of children and their roll as future volunteers.

"The museum has been very fortunate, the capacity that he has committed as Executive Director in these nine years," says Peters. "He's done an awesome job of running the program."

The Board of Directors has appointed a succession committee to undertake the recruitment of a new Executive Director. Under the leadership of Reg Toews, Peters says he hopes to have someone in place before December 31st in order for a smoother transition.

Peters notes in their next Executive Director, they hope to find someone familiar with the Mennonite history and a capable fundraiser.