Pioneer Co‑op’s 2026 AGM Outlines Strong Year for Southwest Communities
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Pioneer Co‑op has approved a $12.5 million patronage allocation for 2026 following another strong financial year. Members gathered on April 22 for the Annual General Meeting, where leadership outlined financial results, community contributions, and major capital improvements across the southwest.
Strong Financial Performance
Pioneer Co‑op recorded over $370 million in sales in 2025. CEO Larry Kozun thanked members for their support, noting that the Co‑op’s diverse divisions continue to grow and that “our earnings are made in Southwest Saskatchewan, and they stay here.”
2025 Patronage Percentages
Division | Patronage Rate |
Pharmacy / Agro / Farm Fuel | 5% to 5.75% |
Service Station (Fuel) | 4.5% (6¢/L) |
Food / Liquor | 2% |
Hardware / Lumber / Plumbing / Fertilizer | 1% |
Board member Brad Pederson reported that Pioneer Co‑op contributed over $142,000 to community groups and regional initiatives through its Member Relations Committee, alongside long‑term commitments to major fundraising projects across Southwest Saskatchewan.
Regional Improvements Across the Southwest
Pioneer Co‑op completed several major business improvements in 2025, including:
Cabri Cardlock renovation
Cabri Bakery oven and proofer
Eastend Farm Centre warehouse
Ponteix exterior renovation
Shaunavon Food Centre refrigeration replacement
Maple Creek Home/Agro Centre improvements
Fertilizer facility upgrades
Cardlock EMV credit card technology
JDE finance and accounting system modernization
These upgrades support the communities Pioneer Co‑op serves—including Gull Lake, Tompkins, Cabri, Hazlet, Eastend, Frontier, and Consul—and reinforce the Co‑op’s long‑term commitment to rural sustainability.
Amalgamation Expands the Co‑op Family
The Pioneer Co‑op and Palliser Plains Co‑op amalgamation, approved in 2025 and effective February 1, 2026, welcomed Central Butte, Tugaske, Shamrock, and Craik into the Pioneer Co‑op family. Leadership emphasized that the expanded footprint strengthens regional cooperation and long‑term sustainability.
Looking Ahead: 90th Anniversary in 2026
Pioneer Co‑op will celebrate its 90th Anniversary this year, with celebration announcements to be shared in the coming months. Kozun thanked the Senior Leadership Team, Division Managers, Team Leaders, and Team Members for their work, emphasizing their commitment to building a stronger and more sustainable future for the region.
Why This Matters for Gull Lake
Pioneer Co‑op is a key economic partner for Gull Lake and the surrounding area. Strong financial performance, regional capital investment, and continued community contributions directly support local services, employment, and long‑term rural resilience.
💡 This is just one of the many stories shaping life in Gull Lake.
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