May 27, 2025

To our Oak River members and guests,

We understand the sudden closure of our Oak River Food Store has been difficult, and we share your frustration. We are committed to providing more information regarding the store's status as soon as possible.

The timing of the store closure, paired with the retirement of our General Manager (GM), created real challenges for Valleyview Co-op. Community members can expect an announcement regarding our new general manager this week, and we look forward to collaborating on the strategic direction for Valleyview Co-op, including next steps for the Oak River Food store.

We have received valuable feedback from community members, which will be considered in the discussion and decisions related to the Oak River Food Store.

We know the closure has created real challenges. While it’s not ideal, we want to remind our Oak River members that our Valleyview Co-op locations in Kenton and Oak Lake can help meet your needs. Both teams are ready to serve you with the same care and commitment you expect. We are genuinely sorry for the inconvenience. This is the best option we can offer as we work toward a clearer path forward.

Thank you for your patience, honesty, and continued care for your Co-op. We haven’t forgotten Oak River—and we’re not done listening.

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May 23, 2025

Valleyview Co-op — Oak River Store and Upcoming AGM

Valleyview Co-op continues to appreciate the strong community spirit in Oak River. We’ve been in ongoing conversation with the Blanshard CDC and want to acknowledge their efforts to support our shared goal: a strong, sustainable future for the Oak River store.

At this time, the Oak River store will remain closed until a new General Manager is in place. Recruitment is well underway, and we’re hopeful that once our new GM has settled in, they—alongside the Board—will be able to take a fresh look at the Oak River situation and help shape a meaningful path forward.

We also invite you to attend Valleyview Co-op’s Annual General Meeting on June 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Oak Lake Community Hall. While the focus of the AGM is financial reporting and board elections, members are encouraged to attend for refreshments and conversation with board members. Please note that specific locations, including Oak River, will not be addressed during the meeting—but question cards will be available. We welcome your questions and will do our best to provide thoughtful responses either at the meeting or shortly afterward.

Thank you for your patience during this time of transition.