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Category: Community

  • Okotoks residents encouraged to participate in annual Community Food Drive

    Food for thought – let's fill those donation bags!

    The Okotoks Food Bank is gearing up for its annual Community Food Drive, which takes place this September. Residents are being asked to fill donation bags with non-perishable food and household essentials to help stock the food bank shelves.

    Volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will deliver donation bags to homes throughout Okotoks starting September 12. Residents are asked to fill the bags and leave them in a visible spot by 9 a.m. on September 19 for volunteers to collect.

    Last year’s Community Food Drive collected over 30,000 lbs. of food for the Okotoks Food Bank. The most needed items include canned meat, tuna, fruit, baked beans, spaghetti sauce, baby and children’s snacks, and personal hygiene items.

    Before donating, residents are asked to check best-before dates to help volunteers spend less time sorting and more time getting food to families. Donations will be collected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteers and brought to the Okotoks Food Bank for sorting.

    For more information on the Community Food Drive, visit the Okotoks Food Bank website.

  • 72 km/h speeder caught in Okotoks school zone, faces $596 fine

    Speeding through school zones is a "slow" way to learn a lesson.

    On September 4, a traffic enforcement operation was conducted by Okotoks RCMP Traffic Services and Okotoks Municipal Enforcement along Big Rock Trail, a busy route near Okotoks schools. The operation aimed to ensure drivers were adhering to speed limits in school zones.

    During the enforcement, officers identified a driver travelling at 72 km/h in a posted 30 km/h school zone. The motorist was issued a $596 fine for exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 km/h in a school zone and received four demerit points.

    According to the Okotoks RCMP, school zones are high-risk areas where children can be difficult to see and may act unpredictably. The police emphasize the importance of slowing down and remaining attentive to keep students, families, and other road users safe.

    As students return to school, the Okotoks RCMP and Okotoks Municipal Enforcement will continue to conduct traffic safety initiatives to promote safe driving behaviors and improve road safety in the community.

    Key safety tips for drivers include reducing speed, being alert while travelling through school zones, and paying attention to crosswalks, intersections, and areas where children may be entering or leaving the roadway.

  • Okotoks Residents Can Recycle Batteries Curbside Starting September 14

    Batteries are charged to be recycled.

    A new initiative is set to make it easier for Okotoks residents to recycle their household batteries. The Town of Okotoks has partnered with Call2Recycle Canada to launch a three-year pilot curbside battery collection program, which will run for two weeks each fall.

    The program, which starts on September 14 and runs until September 25, will accept most single-use household batteries weighing less than five kilograms, including AA, AAA, C, D, and 9-volt batteries. Residents can place used household batteries in a sealed plastic bag and leave it on top of their black cart on their regular garbage collection day.

    According to Jason London, Waste Solutions manager for the Town of Okotoks, the new program aims to make it easier for residents to safely dispose of batteries and keep them out of waste carts. “It’s a simple action that helps protect our collection crews, facilities and environment, while supporting a more convenient recycling service for the community,” he said.

    The Okotoks Eco Centre and participating private drop-off locations will continue to accept used batteries throughout the pilot. For more information on the program and what can be recycled, visit the Town of Okotoks website.

  • Okotoks Community Celebrates New Gathering Space with Blackfoot Pipe Ceremony

    The kingfisher's got a "fishing" good name for this new gathering space!

    A new shared gathering space in Okotoks is set to officially open its doors, and the community is invited to celebrate the occasion. The Town of Okotoks and Foothills School Division are hosting a Blackfoot Pipe Ceremony to mark the official naming of Kingfisher Lodge on Tuesday, September 8.

    The ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind 7 Riverside Drive, near the MMIWG2S+ memorial site in Ethel Tucker Park. Kingfisher Lodge is designed as a shared space for learning, connection, and hosting community events, and its name honors the kingfisher, a bird native to the Sheep River valley that holds significance in the Blackfoot creation story.

    The event will celebrate the connections between people, place, and nature while formally marking the new name. If rain forces the ceremony indoors, it will be moved inside Kingfisher Lodge.

  • Okotoks facilities observe Labour Day, with some exceptions

    It's a holiday for some, but not for those who need a high fitness level to keep up with the closures!

    The Labour Day long weekend is here, and Okotoks residents can expect some facility closures. However, not all facilities will be shutting down. The Okotoks Municipal Centre, Operations Centre, Fire Station No. 1, RCMP and Municipal Enforcement, Okotoks Eco Centre, Okotoks Art Gallery and Okotoks Museum and Archives, the Okotoks Family Resource Centre, and the Okotoks Public Library will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7.

    On the other hand, the Okotoks Rec Centre and Natural High Fitness will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Viking Rentals Centre and Arenas walking track will also be accessible with modified hours, between 12:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

    It’s worth noting that emergency services will not be impacted by the closures. The facilities will reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

  • Okotoks student reflects on life-changing year in France

    She's "french"ly independent now.

    Okotoks resident Amelie Sutton recently returned from an 11-month exchange in France, where she immersed herself in the local culture, language, and school system. The 17-year-old Grade 11 student spent her year abroad through the Rotary Club of Okotoks and Rotary District 5360.

    Despite initial challenges with the French language, Sutton adapted to her new surroundings and formed close bonds with other exchange students. She spent most of her free time with fellow travellers, eventually becoming best friends with a girl from Thailand.

    Sutton’s experience was not limited to France, as she also travelled to several European countries, including Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Austria. She credits her time abroad with increasing her confidence and independence.

    During her stay, Sutton lived with three different host families, each providing her with a unique experience. She also appreciated the opportunity to transfer most of her school credits, which is not always the case for exchange students.

    As Sutton reflects on her time in France, she is eager to continue exploring the world and has plans to take a gap year after completing Grade 12. Her experience has also inspired her to encourage others to consider exchange programs, citing the personal growth and newfound confidence she gained during her year abroad.

    Meanwhile, Okotoks is welcoming its own inbound exchange student, Ornella Crugnale, who recently arrived from France and will spend the school year at Holy Trinity Academy. Crugnale has settled into her new classes and is enjoying her time in Okotoks, thanks in part to the support of her new community, which includes Sutton as a classmate.

  • Okotoks Businesses Invited to Share Insights in Confidential Survey

    "Business as usual" just got a whole lot more interesting in Okotoks!

    Okotoks business owners and managers are being asked to share their experiences and ideas to help shape the town’s business community. The Town of Okotoks has launched a Business Satisfaction Survey as part of its Business Retention and Expansion work, aiming to gather feedback on the issues, opportunities, and support resources that are most important to local businesses.

    The survey, conducted by Deloitte Canada, is a quick and confidential way for businesses to share their thoughts on what’s working well and what areas need improvement. The feedback will help guide the Town on future economic development activities and support resources.

    Phone calls from Deloitte Canada will be made to local businesses, and participants are encouraged to take the time to answer the questions. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential. As a thank you, participants will also have the option to enter a draw for a 2027 Town of Okotoks Business Licence, valued up to $500.

    For more information or to ask questions, businesses can contact the Town of Okotoks’ Economic Development team through their website.

    Contact Us – Economic Development

  • Labour Day Closures in Okotoks: What’s Open and What’s Closed

    We hope you have a "re-creational" Labour Day!

    We’re just a few days away from the Labour Day long weekend, and Okotoks residents are likely planning their activities. If you’re looking for information on facility hours and closures, here’s a rundown of what’s open and what’s closed on Monday, September 7:

    The following facilities will be open on Labour Day:

    • Okotoks Recreation Centre: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    • Natural High Fitness: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    • Viking Rentals Centre & Arenas: Walking track open 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM

    On the other hand, the following facilities will be closed:

    • Municipal Centre, Operations Centre & Fire Station No. 1
    • RCMP / Municipal Enforcement
    • Okotoks Eco Centre
    • Okotoks Art Gallery & Okotoks Museum and Archives
    • Okotoks Family Resource Centre

    For more information, you can visit the Town of Okotoks’ website or contact them directly.

  • Okotoks families sought to host Japanese students for cultural exchange

    “Rocking” the cultural exchange with Okotoks hospitality!

    110 grade 9 students arriving in October for a 7-day cultural exchange

    More than 110 Japanese students will visit the Foothills region this fall, and organizers are looking for local families to open their homes as part of a week-long cultural exchange program. The grade 9 students, ages 14 and 15, are scheduled to arrive Oct. 20 and remain in the region until Oct. 27.

    The students come from a school system that encompasses large portions of Japan, and many will be meeting each other for the first time when they arrive in Canada. As a result, organizers are seeking host families in Okotoks, High River, and Diamond Valley to provide a private room, breakfast and supper, transportation to a central pickup location, and an opportunity for students to experience everyday Canadian family life.

    Hosts do not need to have children of a similar age to participate, and retirees and older residents are also encouraged to apply, particularly if grandchildren or other family members can be involved in activities during the students’ stay.

    The itinerary includes visits to Banff and Lake Louise, the University of Calgary, Stephen Avenue, the Calgary Tower, and the Big Rock near Okotoks. One activity requested by the students this year is a chance to learn curling, which will be held at the Okotoks Curling Club.

    The main goal of the trip is to provide students with an authentic Canadian community experience, including helping prepare meals, learning household routines, and taking part in community events and family activities.

    Those interested in hosting a student can contact Jeannine Tucker at [email protected] or at 403 969 3951.

  • Okotoks to Update Flood Hazard Policies Following New Sheep River Mapping

    The town is taking a "flood" of new information into consideration when updating its policies.

    The Town of Okotoks is taking a closer look at its flood hazard policies in light of updated provincial mapping of the Sheep River. The Government of Alberta completed the Sheep River Flood Study in 2025, which included updated flood hazard mapping and identified areas that could be affected by flooding.

    According to Logan Coutts, communications and community engagement adviser, the updated provincial flood maps show a larger area that could be impacted by flooding, with new properties now identified within a flood hazard area.

    The town is reviewing its Municipal Development Plan and Land Use Bylaw to ensure the policies align with the updated provincial mapping, while guiding future development. The review will consider public safety, environmental impacts, expert advice, provincial requirements, and community feedback.

    • Public safety: how development is regulated and requirements for flood protection
    • Environmental impacts: how flood hazard areas are managed
    • Expert advice: provincial requirements and community feedback

    The town’s goal is to support safe, responsible growth, while helping Okotoks remain a strong and resilient community for years to come.

    Potential policy amendments are expected to be presented to Okotoks Town Council in September, with a public hearing expected in October.