The Co-operative Association held their 66annual general meeting on April 18 in Vanderhoof where record sales for 2010 were reported.

Sales increased by over 30 per cent in 2010, a fact attributed to improved economic conditions as well as member support and dedicated staff.

Co-op members will receive cash back totaling $6.1 million which equals 4.6 per cent on their annual purchases made last year, or 5 cents per litre on fuel.

Despite record sales, Glen Currie, controller at the Vanderhoof Co-op administration office, says the cash back allocation to members is about average.

Over 230 members and guests attended the event at the Friendship Centre where board election incumbents Ken Loper and Henry Dyck from the Vanderhoof, Prince George and 亚洲天堂 Lake District, and Nirmal Parmar from the Terrace District, were elected for a three year term.

A number of Co-op employees were also recognized for their longevity of service.

Barry Clarke and Milton Conn from Prince George, along with Marlene Sholer, Doreen Frost, Rachel Lockhart and Glenda Wasylenko from Vanderhoof received their five-year award; Sean Rodgers and Donna Mycock from Vanderhoof received their 10-year award; Noreen Michalyk from Houston received a 25-year award; and Addie Ippel from Terrace received a 30-year award.

Co-op has a number of projects planned for 2011 including building an Agro and Convenience Store on the site of the cardlock in Quesnel; the completion of a Canfor cardlock site in Houston; and the replacement of the bulk fuel plant and a feasibility study for a new hardware facility in Vanderhoof.

Hannah Wright, Vanderhoof Express