A co-operative is a store where merchandise and services are sold to members, who also share in the profits and losses according to the amounts that they buy. In all locations of our province and nation there has been a long and successful history of co-ops in many capacities and our Ponoka community was no exception to the trend from the very early stages.
The first Co-operative Store in Ponoka was built in 1899 by the Lacombe Co-operative Association, and was located along Railway Street. Mr. A. Urquhart, the manager of the Lacombe store sold shares for $20 each to finance the new Ponoka store and Mr. Andy Reid was appointed as the first manager. The store was sold to Mr. L. B. Matish in 1901, but was completely destroyed by fire the following year.
Our next Co-operative venture in this community was started by farmers collecting hogs for pool shipment in 1906, with Mr. Fish as the first manager, then later replaced by Mr. Carswell. In 1909 the two fledgling Farmers’ Associations, namely the Society of Equity and the Alberta Farmers’ Association amalgamated and adopted the name of United Farmers of Alberta, whose policy would be to promote co-operatives as a means of getting services at cost.
After many UFA locals had been organized in Ponoka and districts, their representatives got together and formed the UFA. District Association, with Fred Bullock appointed as the manager. This association not only collected hogs for shipment, but also actively took orders for supplies such as lumber, building materials, flour, sugar, apples, barbwire and all sorts of other heavy hardware.
It was truly a magnificent sight when a carload of supplies arrived at the local train station and all the farmers appeared at around the same time to take delivery and settle up for what they had ordered. In order to buy or sell through this association you had to be a paid-up member of a United Farmers of Alberta Local.
In 1917 with the overwhelming success of this ongoing organization it was decided by a group of farmers that there was a big need for a Co-operative retail store in Ponoka. A meeting was held to elect a Board of Directors, a charter was applied for, shares were sold to provide working capital, and finally in the spring of 1918 the first Ponoka UFA. Co-operative store opened in a small log building where the theatre now stands.
Mr. George N. Field was the first manager, and the first Board of Directors consisted of W. J Hoar, Lawrence Doran, E.R. Olmstead, C.W. Merrill, Fred Bullock, Ben Fink and Andrew Harper. Many of those original shareholders bought $200 worth of shares in the Ponoka Co-op Association, not with the idea of getting high interest or big dividends for themselves, but because they understood and strongly believed in the value and importance of Co-operatives to a growing community.
Needless to say the log building was soon replaced by a rental nearby, then in 1925 the business was moved to a large permanent location along 51 Ave. From a very small beginning the Ponoka Co-operative Store had grown into the mid-1930s to realize an average yearly turnover of over $400,000 and over $120,000 paid back to its many active members from Town and County. Other Co-operatives that got their start later in the community included: The Co-op Livestock, Ponoka Co-op Oils, the Seed Cleaning Plant and the large Farm Service Centre at the north end of town in 1967; all of which carry on today with excellent products and service to their many customers.
At the end of 1971 there were 2,088 member-patrons of the Ponoka Co-operative Association and the need for growth and expansion was soon realized with the opening of a spacious new shopping centre along 48 Ave. Over the years the Ponoka Co-op employed hundreds of citizens of all ages, and among their countless traditions of excellent service and community spirit was that the welcome mat that would always out to host countless bazaars, cookie sales and fund-raising events for so many vital causes. As children many of us will never forget the arrival of Santa Claus, both in the upstairs magic toy section at the 51 Ave red brick store, and then in bashful Bob’s room over at the new store.
Unfortunately the boards and staff found it exceedingly more difficult to keep up with business demands, renovation costs, and the growing competition of the box stores; and in 1998 the very sad decision was made with Federated Co-operatives to shut down the long-standing operation forever. It would be an understatement to say that the Ponoka Co-operative Store has been missed but after close to 100 years of service to our community, they certainly left their mark of excellence. Much credit is due to the thousands of members, staff and board members who so willingly gave of their support, time and talents to build and maintain what became a traditionally friendly and community landmark of successful business for so many years.