A new chapter is beginning for two Saskatchewan co-operatives following a successful amalgamation vote. On Sept. 2 and Sept. 12, the boards of directors from both Pioneer Co-op and Palliser Plains Co-op voted unanimously to proceed with amalgamating the four Palliser Plains communities of Tugaske, Craik, Shamrock and Central Butte with the 19 Pioneer Co-op communities. Information meetings were held in each Palliser Plains community to present feasibility numbers, outline the benefits of amalgamation and allow members to ask questions about the proposal. On Oct. 28, Palliser Plains Co-op members voted in favour of the merger, triggering a vote by Pioneer Co-op members on Nov. 4. The amalgamation was officially approved that evening. Larry Kozun, CEO of Pioneer Co-op, is happy to see the expansion of the Pioneer Co-op service area, enabling them to better serve their clients across a wider area. "The four Palliser Plains Co-op communities will now join Pioneer Co-op’s 19 communities, creating a larger retail organization serving 23 communities and more than 31,000 members through 43 retail locations," said Kozun. The amalgamation will take effect Feb. 1, 2026.