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Category: Community

  • St. Mary’s Grade 2s kick off Classroom of the Month pizza parties with The Eagle

    The students were "topped" off with a fun day thanks to The Eagle and Tom's House of Pizza!

    The Eagle 100.9 brought joy to Kennedy Koshuta’s Grade 2 class at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Okotoks, hosting a pizza party as part of their Classroom of the Month program.

    The students enjoyed a variety of pizzas from Tom’s House of Pizza, including pepperoni, cheese, and Hawaiian, during their lunch break. They also received prizes, such as toques, balloons, and movie passes, courtesy of morning show host Terry Van Veen.

    Miss Koshuta was also treated to a special surprise, including a pizza, flowers, and a movie pass from Okotoks Cinemas.

    The students showed their appreciation for the visit by creating handmade cards, many of which featured pizza-themed designs.

    The Classroom of the Month program is sponsored by several local businesses, including Tom’s House of Pizza, and aims to bring a free pizza lunch to a nominated class each month.

    For more information on how to nominate a class for the program, visit okotoksonline.com/contests/classroom-of-the-month.

  • Okotoks Residents Face Road Closures and Traffic Changes on South Railway Street

    "Construction is a 'pipe' dream, but it's a necessary one for Okotoks' growth!"

    Residents of Okotoks can expect road closures and traffic changes on South Railway Street starting September 28, as part of the River’s Edge Infrastructure Improvements project. The work will be done in two stages, with the first stage focusing on installing a new watermain and the second stage on installing a new sanitary sewer.

    • During Stage 1, the Lineham Avenue intersection will be closed to through traffic, and the westbound lane on South Railway Street west of Lineham Avenue will be closed.
    • Access to properties east of Lineham Avenue will be maintained via a temporary access road, and access to Summit West School will be maintained from Veterans Way via South Railway Street.
    • River valley pathway access will be preserved, but the sidewalk on South Railway Street will be closed at times.

    During Stage 2, the intersection will reopen, and South Railway Street will operate with one-way eastbound traffic through the construction area. Westbound traffic will remain restricted through the active construction area.

    The work is expected to be completed by early November, weather permitting, and will be done in stages to maintain project progress and prepare for continued construction in 2027.

    The project team will maintain access to nearby properties and East Lineham and Summit West School throughout construction and plans to reopen South Railway Street to two-way traffic before winter.

    For more information on the project, visit https://shapeourtown.okotoks.ca/rivers-edge.

  • Okotoks Council Opens Up in New Podcast Series

    "Agenda" ahead for Okotoks residents, as they tune in to the new podcast series.

    The Town of Okotoks has launched a new podcast series, Beyond the Agenda, aiming to provide residents with a deeper understanding of the decisions and challenges shaping the community. The podcast features candid conversations with Council members, Town staff, and local guests, offering different perspectives on various topics.

    Deputy Mayor Gord Lang explained that the podcast seeks to go beyond the surface-level information presented in Council agendas, providing listeners with a more nuanced understanding of the town’s growth, budgeting, and community development.

    The podcast’s first three-part series explores Okotoks’ growth and development, featuring former Councillor Ed Sands and former Town Chief Administrative Officer Rick Quail. Future episodes will cover topics such as budgeting, community support, and major projects.

    Residents are encouraged to suggest questions, topics, and guests for the podcast, which will feature a diverse range of voices from the community.

    The podcast is available on the Town of Okotoks’ website and YouTube channel.

  • Okotoks Girl Guides Receive Grant for Enhanced Camping Experiences

    The bell tent will be a "pitch" perfect addition to the Girl Guides' camping experiences.

    The 1st Okotoks Pathfinders and 1st Okotoks Rangers, part of Girl Guides Canada, have been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Canada Post Community Foundation.

    The grant will be used to purchase a shared bell tent, which will enhance camping experiences and foster teamwork, community, and connection to nature for the girls in the program.

    The Pathfinders and Rangers support girls between 12 and 17 in developing independence and leadership skills through youth-led activities and decision-making.

    The Canada Post Community Foundation, which distributed a total of $1.3 million in grants to organizations supporting youth across Canada, raised the grant funding through customer donations in post offices, employee contributions, and special stamp sales.

    According to the foundation, every dollar raised supports grassroots programs benefiting children and youth in the province or territory where funds were raised.

    Learn more about the Canada Post Community Foundation.

  • Okotoks Fish and Game Association hosts fifth annual banquet with wild game and traditional dinner options

    It's a wild time for a good cause!

    Residents of Okotoks and surrounding areas are invited to the Okotoks and District Fish and Game Association’s (ODFGA) fifth annual fundraising banquet, which will feature a fall dinner theme.

    The event, taking place at the Viking Rentals Centre, will offer a selection of wild game dishes made from game donated by ODFGA members, including moose, elk, deer, and goose. In addition, a traditional turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings will be available.

    President Matt Zazula explained that the event is open to the public and aims to introduce people to wild game, while also supporting the association’s various projects and programs.

    The ODFGA supports initiatives such as the Kids Can Catch ice fishing event, which has introduced over 700 new fishermen to the sport, and the repair of fencing and signage at Jim Graham Park, a 30-acre natural habitat south of Okotoks.

    Tickets for the banquet are available in advance, with purchases cut off on Friday. Adult Tickets are $75, while kids 12 and under are $50. The evening will also feature a silent auction, raffles, and displays.

    For more information and to purchase Tickets, visit the ODFGA website at okotoksfishandgame.com.

  • Okotoks athlete Victoria Halbert earns All-American status at Nike Outdoor Nationals

    Halbert's finish was a "step" in the right direction for her athletic career.

    Okotoks Town Council recently recognized local athlete Victoria Halbert for her outstanding performance at the 2026 Nike Outdoor Nationals in Oregon. Halbert, a talented runner, finished eighth in the 800-metre championship with a time of 2:08.49, earning her All-American status.

    Halbert also competed in the one-mile championship, completing the course in 4:50.75. Her impressive results were a testament to her dedication and hard work in the sport.

    Halbert’s love for running began in elementary school, and she has been actively involved in the sport ever since. She joined the Okotoks Track and Cross Country Club in Grade 7 before moving to a Calgary-based club.

    Looking ahead, Halbert is now focused on the next stage of her athletic career. She has started the recruiting process for universities in the States, with the goal of securing scholarship opportunities to continue running.

    During the council meeting, Halbert received a certificate of sports recognition, celebrating her success. Mayor Tanya Thorn congratulated Halbert and acknowledged the hard work and dedication that went into reaching the national competition.

    Halbert’s achievement is a source of pride for the Okotoks community, and her dedication to the sport is an inspiration to young athletes in the area.

    For more information on the Nike Outdoor Nationals, visit https://nikeoutdoornationals.runnerspace.com/.

  • Okotoks students benefit from increased SPARK Grant funding

    Funding the spark that ignites learning.

    Schools across the Foothills School Division, including those in Okotoks, will receive a boost in grant funding this year.

    The Friends of Foothills Schools Foundation (FFSF) has announced its 2026 SPARK Grant Program, which offers funding to support innovative, student-focused projects across the division, will provide $15,000 in total funding this year, up $4,000 from 2025.

    FFSF’s SPARK, which stands for Supporting Resources And Knowledge, provides grants of up to $2,500 to projects of all sizes for local schools, School Councils, and student groups.

    Last year, the SPARK Grant Program helped deliver $11,000 to student-focused projects across the Foothills School division, including a rural band equity initiative at École Okotoks Junior High and a Skiing at Castle Mountain project that provided fully funded spaces to Spitzee Elementary students from lower-income families.

    Eligible applicants include all from School Councils to teachers and school-based staff, Foothills School Division staff, and student groups sponsored by a staff member or School Council.

    Applications are assessed against the foundation’s four strategic priorities: Enhanced Learning Opportunities, Equity in Education, Empower Communities, and Innovative and Sustainable Growth.

    Applications for the 2026 SPARK Grant Program are now open and will be accepted through Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. For more information, visit the FFSF’s SPARK Grants webpage here.

  • New Okotoks Pickleball and Tennis Centre Hosts First Game

    It's a "serve" of a good time at the new Okotoks Pickleball and Tennis Centre!

    The Okotoks Pickleball and Tennis Centre has officially opened its doors to the community, hosting its inaugural game on September 23. The state-of-the-art facility features indoor courts, which were put to use for the first time by excited players.

    According to Greg Auld, a director with the centre, the project has been a long time in the making. “Every little bit that comes, the railings get put in, the fence gets put up, we’re that much closer,” he said, reflecting on the journey from initial concept to reality.

    The centre welcomed a special group of guests for the inaugural game: Grade 6 students from Meadow Ridge School. The students were on hand to watch and cheer on the players, and Auld noted that the centre aims to bring 10,000 kids through the facility in the next five years through training and school programs.

    The centre is expected to open to the public for general play soon, with a grand opening planned for late October. Food and beverage areas are also set to be added in early December, with the goal of creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for players of all ages.

    For more information on the Okotoks Pickleball and Tennis Centre, visit their website at okptc.ca.

  • Okotoks council votes to pave way for 200-site campground near iitopatopa Park

    It looks like Okotoks is about to get a "camping" ground for growth.

    Okotoks Town Council has given the green light to a land-use redesignation that could lead to the development of a new campground in the southeast part of town. The proposed campground would feature approximately 200 campsites, including RV, trailer, and tenting areas, near iitopatopa Park.

    The redesignation, which was approved 5-1, changes the land use from a Natural Areas District to a Recreation and Open Space District. According to Colton Nickel, senior planner and intergovernmental liaison, the campground would provide connections to nature and allow for increased enjoyment of the natural areas for visitors to the town.

    Ahead of the public hearing, the town received one phone call and one written submission from an adjacent resident, raising concerns about traffic, public safety, flood risk, emergency access, servicing, future storm water management, and separation between properties.

    Nickel noted that the site is appropriate for redesignation based on the town’s planning documents and technical flood and transportation reviews. However, Councillor Stefan Dykema opposed the redesignation, citing concerns about protecting the natural areas and assets within the municipality.

    Councillor Michelle Walther agreed that the Sheep River area should be protected but pointed to the potential benefits of having additional camping opportunities in Okotoks, including the ability to house out-of-town sports teams during summer events.

    Mayor Tanya Thorn noted that the proposal would include gravel pathways and integration into iitopatopa Park, which would allow more members of the community to use the pathway system and enjoy the river valley.

  • Okotoks Oilers Coach Tyler Deis Celebrates Two Decades of Shaping Young Athletes

    Deis is "skating" on thin ice with his contract extension, but his dedication to the team is "icing" on the cake.

    Tyler Deis, head coach of the Okotoks Oilers, is marking his 11th year at the helm and 14th season with the organization. A two-time Alberta Junior Hockey League coach of the year and one-time Canadian Junior Hockey League coach of the year, Deis attributes his success to building strong relationships with his players.

    Deis’ coaching career spans over 22 years, and he has played in various leagues, including the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and East Coast Hockey League. Before becoming a coach, he taught at Edge School in Calgary, where he developed a passion for shaping young athletes into good people and helping them shape their character.

    Deis’ approach to coaching goes beyond developing good players; he aims to shape the character of young men in the community and encourage them to give back. He believes that building good relationships with players is key to success in this regard.

    Deis has signed a contract with the Oilers until the end of the 2029-30 season and hopes to see the stands full and the town excited for the upcoming season. He emphasizes the importance of providing entertainment value for families in Okotoks and surrounding areas, citing the fast-paced and exciting nature of junior hockey.

    The Okotoks Oilers‘ home opener is scheduled for September 26 at the Viking Rentals Centre against the Spruce Grove Saints.