The Southern Alberta Cooperative Association Limited was a retail and consumer cooperative operating in Southern Alberta towns. It was a consumer’s cooperative that primarily engaged in retail trade and other small local businesses. The Southern Alberta Cooperative Association was incorporated under the Co-operative Association Act of the Province of Alberta on April 30, 1924. It dealt primarily with selling hardware, petroleum, and agricultural products to Southern Alberta farmers, ranchers, and town residents.
The Cooperative’s head office was in Lethbridge, and they operated in towns such as Bow Island, Taber, Barons, Coaldale, Picture Butte, and Lethbridge. The Southern Alberta Cooperative Association was responsible for purchasing lands for retail store facilities in these towns. They also allocated funds for building materials and farming supplies to these centers. The Southern Alberta Cooperative Association represented farmers and ranchers throughout the southern portion of the province from 1924-1983.
In 1976, the Cooperative’s administration consisted of President Tymen Donkersgoed (Coaldale), Vice-President Tom Parker (Picture Butte), Secretary Eugene Wauters (Lethbridge), General Manager Ray Dyken (Lethbridge), and Controller Ken Smith (Lethbridge). The Southern Alberta Cooperative Association Ltd. was liquidated in the fall of 1983.
Scope and Content
Meeting Minutes Book, 1924-1988.
The Board of Directors of Cooperatives Manual
Prospectus for the Southern Alberta Cooperative Association Ltd. 1988