NNSL (Apr 01/98) - It may not be an Academy Award, but Yellowknife's Direct Charge Co-op is the proud recipient of the Best Overall Image Award which was handed out at the Arctic Co-operatives Ltd. awards banquet March 17.

"I don't think it will bring us quite the same benefits (as an Academy Award)," said Peter Hough, general manager of Yellowknife Co-op. "But clearly we are very pleased to have received the award. In any business it's always nice when you get some recognition from your peers and that kind of thing that says that you're doing a good job. Obviously we're quite pleased to receive the award on that basis."

The award recognizes the co-op's accomplishments in areas such as physical facilities, product selection and presentation, customer service, board of director involvement, community involvement and staff and director development.

Yellowknife Co-op which has grown over the last few years, currently has 1,560 members. They have a general merchandising portion, a gas bar as well as a grocery store.

Arctic Co-operatives area managers evaluated the store and recommended them for the prestigious award.

Yellowknife's Co-op was also recognized for its charitable involvement in the community particularly as a major sponsor during the Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife.

Joanna Awa, corporate secretary with Arctic Co-operatives in Manitoba said this is a big award for Yellowknife's store.

"This is basically an overall image award which is one of the more bigger awards we give out to the co-ops," she said.

More than 100 people were in attendance at the awards banquet in Winnipeg, including all co-op managers, staff of Arctic co-ops and invited guests.

"It was a sort of a family thing. The co-op family thing where everybody comes to support one another. It's not like a big competition. Other co-op managers are very happy for the people who receive these awards. It's a good incentive to keep up the good work," said Awa.

There are over 14,000 individual co-op members in the NWT with 36 retail stores scattered across the North.