Co-op Refinery Complex celebrates 90 years of growth

The Co-op Refinery Complex is recognizing 90 years of operations in Regina. (JacobCarr/CTVNews)

For 90 years now, the Co-op Refinery Complex in Regina has fueled Western Canada.

What started in 1935 as eight farmers who wanted to produce their own oil and not have to buy from big companies, has transformed into a juggernaut of efficiency. The refinery can currently produce up to 130,000 barrels of crude oil a day.

“There’s over a thousand people that work at the refinery here in Regina,” said Federated Co-operatives Limited CEO Heather Ryan. “And then there’s another number of people, hundreds of people that support from other areas. So, we do have offices across Western Canada but the majority, a lot of our team members are in Saskatoon and Regina.”

The refinery complex distributes up to 17 million litres of fuel a day to Co-op gas bars and cardlocks throughout Western Canada, and that’s something to be proud of according to Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski.

“I think it’s a massive impact and to be honest I think what we need to do is celebrate that more. I think we’re way too humble about the fact that we are supplying that much fuel and the impact that we have. And I think we have to be a little less humble about it.”

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Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe lauded the refinery complex for being a value-added aspect of the oil production economy in the province.

“But actually, providing the fuel for all the other industries to grow and prosper; agriculture, transportation, the mining industry, us as families and parents taking our kids wherever they need to go. So, an exciting time here celebrating 90 years and really having the opportunity to say thank you to all of those folks both past and present that have worked here and have found their career here.”

And at the end of the day, that’s what the celebration was about according to Ryan, giving kudos to the workers that have made the company a success and looking forward to the next 90 years.

“Oh, this day is filled with pride, tons of pride. We talk about fueling Western Canada and it’s more than that, it’s the fuel but it’s also what it means to the communities, what it means to local co-ops. There’s just so much pride in the room today and it’s really about the people and coming together.”