Gardenland Co-op reported a record-breaking year in sales to its members at its annual meeting in Winkler April 28.
The board of director’s 2025 year-in-review highlighted a total of $170.2 million in sales, net income before taxes of $4.6 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $7.8M.
Members’ equity and reserves hit $57M, with total assets of $85.4M. The year’s patronage allocation to members clocked in at over $3.65M.
The Co-op is in an incredibly strong financial position, said board president Milt Olfert, expressing gratitude for their dedicated staff, management, and the thousands of members in the communities they serve.
“Without the steady support of you, this Co-op would cease to exist. Thanks for your patronage,” he told the large crowd of assembled members. “Entering into our 96th year is a testament to the fact that the cooperative model is enduring and benefits our community as no other can.”
Co-op gave back $500,000 in 2025 to various community projects and also contributed countless hours of volunteer time across the region, directors shared, noting that “this commitment to community sets us apart from our competitors.”
Gardenland welcomed 675 new members in 2025, bringing its total to 22,690 with locations in Winkler, Morden, Plum Coulee, Rosetown, Loewfarm, Rosenort, and St. Joseph.
“The list just continues to grow and we’re excited to be in more and more communities as time goes on,” Olfert said.
Last year saw the completion of a few notable projects, including the new administrative offices in downtown Winkler, upgrades to the truck stop card lock dispenser, the purchase of Venture Parts in Morden, the purchase of a used floater in Morden, and the construction and leasing out of the new Morden Dollerama building, located beside the Co-op grocery store.
“Looking forward, we remain committed to identifying improvements and opportunities that will enhance our co-op while consistently maintaining a strong and stable financial position,” said board member Richard Delorme in presenting the director’s report.
General manager Evan Toews characterized it as a year of responsible growth and steady operational performance.
“As we look back in 2025, it was a year that was shaped by meaningful progress, important decisions, and the steady commitment of our team and our members,” he said.
“At Gardenland, we have the privilege of operating across some of the fastest growing communities in Southern Manitoba, providing opportunities that come every day, and we don’t take any of those lightly,” Toews said. “Growth brings excitement, but it also brings competition. It brings new expectations from customers and members alike. That reality continues to push us to raise our bars, raise our level of service, increase our capacity, and build the kind of expertise that sets us apart in the local marketplace.”
Referring to the donations and sponsorships Co-op made in 2025, Toews stressed that “this is what it means to be community-owned.”
Since its inception almost a century ago, the Co-op has grown and change, he said, “but through it all, our purpose has remained the same: to serve the people who own this co-op and to reinvest in the communities that built it.”
It’s a motto that resonates with Olfert, who is stepping down after a cumulative two decades on the board of directors.
“I love the whole cooperative model of working together for a common cause,” he said. “Of being involved in the community and being successful and then the money stays here. You’re investing with your neighbours for your neighbours.”
While he’s enjoyed having a behind-the-scenes role with the co-op through the years, Olfert feels it’s time to pass on the torch.
“We have a really strong board, and I felt it was time to step down and allow others to have a chance to take this role and be part of this great organization.”
Also departing from the board was Dinah Elias and Delorme. Chris Hildebrand, Terry Reidle, and Darcy Lemieux were acclaimed to fill their spots, joining Chris Kalansky, Darren Heide, Guy Damphousse, Gordon Earl, Grant Fehr, and Carrie Hennan.
