On Wednesday, November 9th Legacy Co-op held their grand re-opening ceremony for the Churchbridge Food Store and Home & Agro Centre.
Opening remarks and speeches began just after 11:00 A.M. and were followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony and lunch (chili & a bun).
Folks were able to enter to win a Pit Boss BBQ Smoker. Customers found various in-store specials and product tastings at the Food Store and special pricing on items at the Home & Agro Centre. Legacy Co-op also unveiled their new bulk fuel delivery truck.
Clark Anderson, President, on behalf of the Legacy Co-op Board of Directors opened the grand re-opening ceremony. Anderson said, “I’m happy to see so many of you out to help us celebrate the reopening of these two great facilities. As part of our amalgamation promise to upgrade both facilities, the Home & Agro Centre and the Food Store, we are pleased that the renovations are finally complete as well as being under budget. Of course, building these days is not inexpensive, but we are grateful to TIM Co. Construction for the work they did.”
“The total cost of the projects was $1.6 million with both locations upgraded to the latest standards in the Co-op retail system. We now have energy efficient equipment, low cost LED lighting, as well as energy efficient rack refrigeration. Interior and exterior decor along with new flooring was installed at both locations. You will also see complete new shelving in the Home & Agro Centre.”
“The Legacy Board of Directors, some of which are here today, along with our GM Bruce Thurston and senior staff members are very proud to see completion of this project and hope that it will be beneficial to your community for years to come.
Chad McCord and Wayne Matthews, I wish you much success in managing these operations going forward.”
Churchbridge Mayor Bill Johnston spoke at the ceremony and explained the importance of the business to the town, as well as speaking about the history.
“Today marks a major milestone for Churchbridge as Legacy Co-op and the community together celebrate the grand re-opening of our impressive Co-op Home & Agro Centre and Co-op Food Store. It’s the latest chapter in the Co-op’s history in Churchbridge which goes back over 82 years. When it began, with an initial capital of $100 incentive for the group promoting it was very likely necessity — bringing together neighbours to form an organization with the dual goals of working together co-operatively to the benefit of all members and making the best use of their shared resources.”
“I can only imagine how those first folks would feel — probably completely overwhelmed — to see what they began has today accomplished. Many changes have occurred since then to the point you have to take notes just to keep track of the Co-op’s various locations around town through the years before settling on the current locations right in the heart of the community.”
“An exciting new chapter opened in 2019 when, in true co-operative spirit, the Yorkton and Churchbridge Co-operatives joined together to form a new entity which, pardon the bragging, was named Legacy Co-op, thanks to a Churchbridge staff member, Betty Nelson. Since that amalgamation Churchbridge and area has benefited tremendously. Our Food Store and our Home & Agro Centre have both received maior upgrades to the buildings themselves and to the services and products they provide their customers, both members and non-members. Both stores are the envy of many other centres, both larger and smaller than Churchbridge.
While other businesses may look at Churchbridge and area as merely another source of potential revenue, Legacy Co-op clearly looks at it as a source of pride.
But the Food Store and Home and Agro Centre are not just stores. They’re employers. They’re tax payers. And they’re strong, strong supporters of the community and its many organizations.”
“On behalf of the residents, not only of Churchbridge but of this entire area, thank you to the Legacy Co-op board, its management team, and all of Legacy’s members for investing in the future growth, not just for Churchbridge but for the entire Legacy Co-op. These two beautiful stores show it certainly pays to be a Co-op member.”
Rick McIntyre, Constituency Assistant, on behalf of the Saskatchewan Government and MLA Warren Kaeding. McIntyre finished off the speeches by reminding the audience about the humble beginnings of the Co-op in town. He reminded everyone how the first members meeting in 1940 led to Emil Kaeding being the first president. “They sold fuel by the drum in a building where Lisa’s hair shop currently is.”
“The importance of the co-op to the community is the heart of the business center in Churchbridge.”
McIntyre mentioned that the Co-op has further plans to grow further and that it is a driver for the economics of the area.
After the speeches, the red ribbon was cut and members had the opportunity to enjoy a chili on a bun lunch. It was explained that the new bulk-oil delivery truck is ready and brand new for the company to utilize in the area.