LAC LA BICHE - The Lac La Biche District Natural Gas Co-op celebrated a 50-year milestone in the community, last Friday.
The natural gas co-operative distribution service provides over 2,300 members in the area with services and has made a lasting impact on rural users that will continue to be supported, said Lloyd Prefontaine, board chair of the local co-op.
“We will continue ensuring that we can operate and maintain in a sustainable way at the best possible price for the customers, but more importantly, getting the natural gas to rural customers and members,” he said.
The co-op facility located in Sentinel Park in Lac La Biche drew dozens of community members for an event filled with speeches commemorating the milestone. Musical entertainment from local band Dusty Roads, prizes, a free barbecue, ice cream from the Lac La Biche Mission Society, and other food offerings took place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 26.
Celebrating achievements
The celebration was a vital part of not only honouring the local residential and agricultural co-op members, staff and the organization, but also to help raise awareness for co-operative opportunities, services and benefits, said Prefontaine.
“One of the challenges going forward is that as the rural community changes in demographics, the aspect of a co-operative isn’t always well understood. The more that we can get that message out and say ‘look this co-operative, it’s member-owned, this is for your benefit and there is no profit per se,” he said, adding, those details are what make the natural gas supplier special.
Serving as the board chair for the last five years, Prefontaine said supporting the co-op has been a family tradition since his parents became members in 1976, joining over 80 other sites that are part of the Federation of Alberta gas Co-ops.
“My parents signed up back in 1976, so from that standpoint of being a member and customer, it’s been 50 years… I intend to be around for a while at least, an opportunity to contribute and help make it successful.”
Services for rural Albertans
One of the many reasons to support the natural gas distributor that provides “natural gas for heating for your home, water tanks and furnaces,” and any other needs, is the creation of jobs in the community, said local board member Dave Bliss.
“We employ local members of the community—your friends, neighbours and your family. They work for the gas co-op.”
Bliss, who is celebrating his own 20-year contribution with the co-op, says the co-op continues to be a reliable service with strong core values. Despite the challenges over the decades, the co-op continues to be competitive in price and beneficial to rural Albertans.
“There have been a lot of struggles through the years but we’ve accomplished [a lot], and provided a major need for the community. I think we’ve done a great job Alberta-wide,” said Bliss.
