Customers and members of the Iron Creek Gas Co-op celebrated the 50th anniversary of the organization at barbeques held in Sedgewick and in Viking.
The group’s actual anniversary was Dec. 3, 2023. During COVID, Iron Creek Gas Coop also moved to a new shop in Sedgewick, but had to hold off having an open house celebration, so their barbeque on Wednesday, June 12, combined both.
Iron Creek Gas Co-op is grateful for all the local support received for their anniversary celebration, from staff and board members to local business. During the event Iron Creek also got congratulations from the Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops and also a plaque, along with a message from Gas Alberta delivered via Allen Dietz.
Iron Creek is also grateful for the support from their suppliers who provided such generous gifts for door prizes.
Iron Creek Gas Co-op Chair John Burden gave a presentation about the history of the organization, saying it was started with a meeting of neighbours in November 1973, with 25 land owners, and two government officials.
Eight individuals volunteered themselves to act as contacts for the group, and arranged a general meeting at the Kinsella Community Hall later that same month.
Before then, the group of eight worked to gather names, then personally contacted them to get as many people as possible out to the general meeting.
A provisional board selected Henry Lien as its president and Len Berg as a recording secretary.
At the first general meeting in November 1973, presenters from Rural Utilities and a Co-op activist supervisor spoke, taking many questions from those present. Discussion led to a motion from Tom Mattinson to form a natural gas co-op in the area, with another motion to use the name Iron Creek Gas Co-op.
The first directors of the new co-operative were nominated, they were: Henry Lien, Tom Mattinson, Keith Currie, Harry Christian, Rusty McLean, Allan Darling, Geo Rawluk, Jerry Mark, Erling Nilson, Bill Lawson, Paul Mazure, Rick Davidson, Ole Lundle, Leo Slavik, Oswald Koehli, Ron Bergseth, and Don Hayes.
After incorporation, the group acquired the ‘Cameron Building’ in Sedgewick, and chose Algas Engineering Services as a consultant. The group also joined the Federated Gas Co-op.
Back then, the initial cost for a farm to get a natural gas service through the Co-op was $1,700, with a minimum monthly service charge of $4, which included two MCF of natural gas, with a rate of $.60/MCF.
A year later, the second general meeting had 200 people in attendance.
Later in 1974, the new gas distribution system started at NE 6-46-13-W4, and in 17 days 100 metres of pipeline was ploughed in, with 95 customers connected. The quick progress reportedly impressed the Province.
By June 1975, nearly 75 miles of pipe was in the ground, with 578 customers serviced by the Iron Creek Gas Co-op. Pipeline construction was finished in November, and became fully operational Dec. 15, 1975.
Iron Creek Gas Co-op now services nearly 1,300 customers, over 900 square miles.
The anniversary celebration also offered an opportunity to recognize some long-term board members and employees. These included Keith Currie, who was the longest original serving director at 34 years; John Burden, the longest serving director with 37 years; Laurie Patten, as longest serving secretary/treasurer, with 43 years; Crest Maertz with 30 years as Senior Serviceman; and Garry Simpson, current Serviceman, with 33 years of service.