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Category: Community

  • Okotoks Prepares for Riverside Drive Construction Starting August 19

    It looks like Okotoks residents will have to "drive" around the issue for a while.

    Residents of Okotoks can expect significant traffic disruptions starting August 19, as the first stage of construction on Riverside Drive gets underway. The River’s Edge Infrastructure Improvements project will see crews replacing and upgrading sanitary sewer infrastructure, as well as completing roadway and parking improvements.

    The initial stage of construction, scheduled to run from August 19-24, will close the Veterans Way/Riverside Drive intersection to regular vehicle traffic. Access to local businesses, the Okotoks Public Library, and the Okotoks United Church will be maintained, but drivers can expect significant traffic pattern changes, detours, and delays in the area.

    A second phase of construction is planned to continue from late August to late October 2026. For more information, including maps, detour information, and updates, residents can visit www.okotoks.ca/construction.

  • Okotoks’ South Railway Street to See Infrastructure Upgrades Until End of August

    It seems like Okotoks is "paving" the way for a brighter future.

    The Town of Okotoks is undertaking a significant infrastructure upgrade project along South Railway Street, between Lineham Avenue and Oak Avenue, as part of the River’s Edge Infrastructure Improvements project. The project involves replacing and upgrading sanitary sewer pipes and manholes, reconstructing the road, and constructing a temporary gravel access road to maintain local access during construction.

    The project is divided into four stages, with site preparation and mobilization already underway. The sewer and street restoration work is scheduled to take place from July 27 to the end of August, weather permitting. Working hours will be from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    Residents and businesses in the East Lineham area can expect temporary road closures and detours, traffic routed through a temporary gravel access road and designated detour routes, and no on-street parking within active construction areas. There may also be temporary parking changes, relocation of community mailboxes, and temporary water service connections.

    The project aims to increase the capacity of the existing sanitary sewer system, support future growth, and improve the long-term reliability of underground infrastructure in the area. The River’s Edge Infrastructure Improvements project is funded in part through a $5 million grant from the Government of Alberta’s Local Growth and Sustainability Grant.

    For more information about the project, visit Shape Our Town – River’s Edge.

  • Okotoks Pro Rodeo Returns with Fan Favourites and New Rising Stars Night

    It's time to saddle up for a wild ride in Okotoks.

    The Okotoks Pro Rodeo is set to return for its annual three-day event, running from August 21 to 23 at the Millarville Racetrack. Following a sold-out event last year, officials are expecting another busy weekend.

    The rodeo will feature a range of fan favourite events, including mutton bustin’, wild pony races, barrel racing, tie down roping, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, saddle bronc, and bull riding. A new addition to the lineup is “Rising Stars Night” on August 21, which will showcase novice competitors in events such as bareback and saddle bronc riding.

    According to Jennifer Taylor, Okotoks Pro Rodeo V.P., the new event is aimed at encouraging sustainability in rodeo by giving young competitors a chance to gain experience. “We want to encourage sustainability in rodeo, and that is in our youth,” Taylor said.

    Live entertainment will also be a key part of the weekend, with the Alicyn Campbell Band from Longview performing on Friday night and Foxx Worthee headlining on Saturday. Karina Mangone, Miss Rodeo Okotoks, will also be in attendance as she wraps up her year representing the rodeo community.

    Mangone expressed her pride in representing the rodeo community, saying, “I’m very, very proud and I’m very honoured to represent Okotoks.”

  • Okotoks Hosts Japanese Students for Cultural Exchange Program

    It seems the students "chipped" away at their cultural differences and found common ground in Okotoks.

    A group of 26 Japanese high school students, aged 14 to 16, recently spent nearly two weeks in Okotoks as part of an educational and cultural exchange program. The students, accompanied by three chaperones, visited Okotoks from July 25 to Aug. 6 and stayed with local host families.

    The program, organized by the Muskoka Learning Institute (MLI) Education Group, included an ESL program at Viking Rentals Centre and various community activities. The students also learned about Canadian culture and history, including Okotoks landmarks and local First Nation stories.

    During their stay, the students participated in a farewell ceremony, where they thanked their host families, performed traditional Japanese songs and dances, and shared what they learned throughout the program. The students also received thank-you cards from MLI.

    For many of the students, the experience was a memorable one. Yuki Nakaya was surprised by the beauty of Lake Louise, while Shiori Kira appreciated the friendliness of the people in Okotoks. The students also enjoyed trying new foods, including ketchup chips, which became a hit among the group.

    The program has been running since 2013 and provides an opportunity for cultural exchange between Japanese students and Okotoks residents. After the farewell ceremony, the students spent their final night with their host families before returning to Japan with a new perspective on Canadian culture.

  • Okotoks Show and Shine Returns with New Attractions and Classic Favorites

    It's time to "rev up" for the Okotoks Show and Shine!

    The Okotoks Show & Shine is set to return to downtown Okotoks on Sunday, Aug. 16, bringing hundreds of unique cars and trucks to the streets. The event, now in its 15th year, is expected to draw an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators and will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Elizabeth Street.

    Organizers are promising a fun-filled day with a range of activities, including a brand-new pancake breakfast hosted by the Okotoks Elks, live bands and a DJ, and a new engine rebuild competition featuring young people from local garages and shops.

    Other attractions include local food trucks, vendors, and non-profit groups, as well as a 50/50 raffle with sales ending on Aug. 18. Participants can still register their cars for the show online or at the entrance gate on Veterans Way on the day of the event.

    All proceeds from the event will go directly to local charities, supporting the community that makes the annual Show and Shine possible. Admission is free, with a $20 entry fee for participants.

  • Rowan House urges Okotoks-area residents to seek support after domestic homicide of woman who grew up near town

    They’re saddling up support for those who need a stable place to turn.

    Rowan House Society is reminding residents of Okotoks and surrounding Foothills communities that help is available for anyone experiencing domestic violence, following the death of a woman who grew up in the area.

    Cayla Bleeker, 36, died July 28 in what police describe as a domestic homicide at a High River residence. She was the mother of two young daughters and their sole provider. Bleeker grew up in the Foothills around Okotoks, where her love of horses and country life helped shape her, according to her obituary.

    A celebration of life is being held at the DeWinton Riding Club on Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to an animal welfare organization or a domestic violence support service.

    Jarrett Stobbe, 36, of High River has been charged with second-degree murder. Police say Stobbe called 911 at 9:24 p.m. on July 28, and responding officers found Bleeker suffering from gunshot wounds. She later died at High River General Hospital.

    Rowan House Society said the tragedy is a reminder that domestic violence can affect any family, in any neighbourhood, at any time. The organization stressed that safety begins with awareness, and that recognizing the signs of abuse, knowing where to turn for help, and having access to supportive resources can save lives.

    The society offers emergency shelter, a 24-hour support line at 403-652-3311, safety planning, outreach programs, children’s supports, and community education. It serves communities across southern Alberta, including the Okotoks area.

    “While we cannot change what has happened, we can work together to prevent future tragedies through education, awareness, early intervention, and accessible support services,” the society said.

  • Okotoks RCMP respond to fatal drowning near Foothills County campground

    These tragedies are a sobering reminder that cliff jumping can be a leap of no faith.

    A 35-year-old man from Mexico drowned Saturday afternoon after jumping from a cliff into the water near Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground in Foothills County, according to Okotoks RCMP.

    Police were called at about 12:23 p.m. on Aug. 1 following a report of a missing swimmer. Witnesses said the man jumped from a cliff and did not resurface.

    Okotoks RCMP and Foothills Fire and Emergency Services responded, with assistance from a Calgary Police Service helicopter. The man was located in the water and pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

    RCMP warned against cliff jumping, citing strong currents and submerged rock hazards that may not be visible from the surface.

    In a separate incident the same day, a 33-year-old Rocky View County man drowned at Quarry Lake in Canmore. Canmore RCMP said the man was swimming without a life jacket when he went under and did not resurface. His body was also taken to the medical examiner.

    Police extended condolences to the families and friends of both victims and reminded the public to make water safety a priority.

  • 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 Recreation Centre and local rivers offer ways to beat the Heritage Day heat

    Hope everyone has a splashing good long weekend.

    With Heritage Day weekend temperatures expected to hit the mid-30s on Saturday, Okotoks residents have several nearby options to cool off, from local pools to the Sheep River.

    The Okotoks Recreation Centre is running public swim sessions throughout the long weekend. Saturday hours are 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 6 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. A Public Toonie Swim is also available earlier in the day.

    For those who prefer the outdoors, the Sheep River in Okotoks provides wading spots along local pathways. However, the High River Fire Department cautions that rivers can be unpredictable after recent high water levels. They advise checking conditions before entering, wearing a lifejacket regardless of swimming ability, and closely supervising children.

    Other nearby outdoor options include the Dr. Lander Memorial Swimming Pool and Spray Park in Diamond Valley, with public swim from 1 to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and holiday hours on Monday. The Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre in Nanton is also offering open swim times, including a free public swim from 1 to 8 p.m. on Heritage Day Monday.

    For a beach experience, Little Bow Provincial Park is just over an hour from Okotoks, with a sandy beach on Travers Reservoir. In Calgary, the Sikome Aquatic Facility at Fish Creek Provincial Park offers a supervised beach for a fee.

    Wading areas are available at Lake McGregor, Ghost Lake Provincial Recreation Area, Chain Lakes Provincial Park, and Pine Coulee Reservoir, though these locations do not have designated swimming beaches.

  • 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.