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  • Okotoks Motorcycle Rally Raises Over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish

    It's clear that the Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally is "revving up" support for Make-A-Wish.

    The Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally, which kicked off in Okotoks, has raised over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada. The annual event, sponsored by Prairie Mobile Communications, saw 26 riders travel from Okotoks to Longview along the Highwood Pass before looping back through Kananaskis and into Cochrane.

    Organized by Georges LeBlanc and his wife, Susan, this year marked their 17th year hosting the event. The couple had set a fundraising goal of $10,000, which they exceeded with the final total.

    LeBlanc said the sunshine and warm weather made for a great day, and he enjoys supporting Make-A-Wish each year and bringing more recognition to the foundation. This is the fifth year that they’ve done this particular ride, and it keeps growing every year.

    One of the participants, Dayn Barlow, has been involved in the rally since 2017. He enjoys seeing new and familiar faces each year and getting to know people from all walks of life, including those whose lives have been touched by Make-A-Wish.

    Barlow also appreciates the LeBlancs’ efforts to make a difference in the community. “You get people like George and Susan that invest and support the community in quiet ways,” he said. “It’s really heartwarming.”

  • Okotoks Pilot Project Achieves 21% Construction Waste Diversion Rate

    It looks like Okotoks is building a better future, one recycled brick at a time.

    A new pilot project in Okotoks has shown promising results in reducing construction waste and improving recycling practices. The Town of Okotoks partnered with Azimuth Builders and Wilco Disposal on the Pop-Up Landfill Pilot Project, which aimed to recover and recycle materials typically discarded during construction and demolition activities.

    According to Wasan Jema, Environmental Specialist and Project Lead, construction and demolition activities account for approximately 45% of landfill waste, making it essential for the town to find new ways to reduce waste. The pilot project achieved a 21% diversion rate, keeping nearly one-quarter of construction waste out of the landfill.

    The project also identified ways to increase diversion rates beyond 50% through improved sorting practices and operational adjustments. The town plans to develop practical tools and best practices for future construction projects, making it easier to implement and scale construction waste diversion across Okotoks and potentially other municipalities.

    Beyond the environmental benefits, the pilot demonstrated that on-site sorting can be integrated into construction projects without disrupting work, reducing disposal costs. James Savage, Vice-President of Business Development, noted that sustainability and practical construction can go hand-in-hand without adding unnecessary cost or complexity.

    With Phase I complete, future projects will expand into residential construction, working with builders in Okotoks and exploring opportunities with neighbouring communities to identify practices for commercial and residential construction projects.

  • Okotoks to welcome 200 motorcycles as PTSD fundraiser Rolling Barrage arrives Aug. 19

    It’s a rolling fundraiser that really puts the “cycle” in “recycle” — turning miles into mental‑health support.

    About 200 motorcycles will reach Okotoks on Aug. 19 as part of the 10th‑anniversary Rolling Barrage cross‑Canada ride supporting PTSD programs.

    The annual coast‑to‑coast journey began Aug. 1 in St. John’s, N.L., with 142 full‑route riders this year — up from the usual 40 — and will finish Aug. 22 in Aldergrove, B.C. Casual riders joining along the way are expected to bring the Okotoks contingent to roughly 200 motorcycles.

    Rob Calvert, co‑coordinator of the Okotoks reception, said participants include former military members, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency workers. Since 2016 the ride has raised more than $600,000 for PTSD initiatives across Canada.

    Riders are expected to travel down Veterans Way around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, followed by a community reception at the Viking Rentals Centre supported by the Town of Okotoks. The following morning they will head to Diamond Valley for breakfast at the Turner Valley Legion before continuing to Cranbrook, B.C.

    Okotoks Legion Branch 291, which is organizing the local reception, is contributing $2,000 toward fuel costs. Calvert noted that fuel expenses for the cross‑country trip will exceed $100,000 this year, with some costs covered by riders themselves and some by sponsors.

    Calvert, who is vice‑president of training with Veterans Elite Drone Training Services, plans to capture drone footage of the motorcycles on Veterans Way and will ride with the group on Aug. 20 as far as the Highway 1 turnoff toward Radium Hot Springs before returning to assist with post‑event cleanup.

  • Okotoks opens cooling stations and extends spray park hours during heat warning

    We hope residents find these cooling stations a breeze to use.

    The Town of Okotoks has opened several air-conditioned cooling stations and extended spray park hours in response to a heat warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The stations will be available from Wednesday, July 29 through Tuesday, August 4 during regular business hours.

    Residents can find relief at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Okotoks Municipal Centre, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Art Gallery, and the Okotoks Museum & Archives. Free water bottles are provided at all locations. Town officials also noted the spaces can offer a break from poor air quality.

    The Okotoks Spray Park hours have been extended to 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. Residents are advised to check okotoks.ca/getactive for any schedule updates.

    The town shared several safety tips for extreme heat, including avoiding intense outdoor exercise, staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen, and never leaving people or pets inside a parked vehicle. Residents are urged to check on family, friends, and neighbours who may be alone or without air conditioning.

    Information on recognizing heat-related illness is available through Alberta Health Services. The town also reminded pet owners to watch for hot surfaces and ensure animals have plenty of water, and to call 9-1-1 if an animal is seen in a parked vehicle.

    River safety precautions include wearing a properly fitting life jacket and exercising caution around riverbanks. Swimming in storm ponds is prohibited. The outdoor watering schedule remains in effect, with details at okotoks.ca/water.