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Category: Community

  • Okotoks family’s front yard water station quenches thirst of neighbourhood pets

    The family's water station is the "paw-fect" solution for thirsty pets in the neighbourhood.

    An Okotoks family has taken initiative to provide a refreshing oasis for pets in the community. Kyla Taylor-Lacroix and her children created a pet-friendly water station in their front yard, inspired by local restaurants offering water bowls for dogs.

    The family, residing in the Sheep River neighbourhood, noticed the high foot traffic of dog owners walking their pets past their home, especially during the hot summer months. They decided to set up a water station to provide a convenient spot for dogs to quench their thirst.

    The project became a fun family activity, with Taylor-Lacroix’s children helping with the design and decoration of the homemade station. They used materials from Home Depot’s scrap area and added a touch of colour to make it visually appealing.

    The water station has been a hit, with one of Taylor-Lacroix’s neighbours reporting that their dog regularly drinks from it. The station has also attracted other thirsty pets, including a curious cat that was spotted drinking from the bowl.

    Taylor-Lacroix plans to keep the water station out as long as the weather permits, but will likely bring it inside once winter arrives. She encourages pet owners to take advantage of the station and provide their pets with a refreshing drink.

  • Okotoks residents invited to shape the future of local transit services

    The town is "on the right track" by seeking resident input to shape the future of local transit services.

    The Town of Okotoks is seeking input from residents to inform the next phase of transit planning, as the community continues to grow. A fixed-route transit service was introduced in 2025, following a feasibility study, community engagement, and council approval.

    Residents are being asked to share their thoughts on their current transit experience, service priorities, and challenges, as well as suggestions for future improvements, such as extended hours and weekend service, and accessibility enhancements. The feedback will be used to identify priorities and inform future investments and service improvements.

    Residents can participate in the survey online until September 16, or attend one of several pop-up sessions scheduled throughout the town. The sessions will take place at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Recreation Centre, and Okotoks Seniors Centre on different dates and times.

    For more information and to access the survey, visit the Town of Okotoks’ website at www.okotoks.ca/your-government/newsroom/news/help-shape-future-transit-okotoks.

  • Bear euthanized in Diamond Valley after repeated garbage bin access

    It looks like the bear had a "gut" feeling about the garbage.

    A black bear that had been frequenting the Diamond Valley area has been euthanized after Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement determined it could not be safely managed.

    According to Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officers responded throughout the summer to reports of the bear repeatedly accessing residential garbage and other human food sources.

    The bear was observed to be undeterred by people and, in some cases, approached individuals, posing a risk to public safety and property.

    Officers assessed the incidents using Alberta’s Black Bear Response Guide, which considers factors including the animal’s behaviour, history, health, and the likelihood of future conflict.

    The bear was euthanized on Aug. 26, after a trap was initially placed in a green space behind the Bailey Ridge subdivision on Aug. 20, and later relocated to Okalta Road on the Youth Mission property on Aug. 24.

    The Town of Diamond Valley noted that the bear had been attracted to the residential area by garbage, compost, and other household attractants.

    Residents are reminded to properly secure garbage, recycling and compost, remove bird feeders while bears are active, and keep barbecues clean and free of food residue to reduce the likelihood of habituation and future conflicts.

    For more information on preventing bear encounters, visit alberta.ca/bears.

  • Okotoks bus drivers build relationships and keep students safe on the road

    "Route" to a safer school year!

    Moving over 3,000 students to and from school each day is a significant task, but Foothills School Division’s transportation department makes it happen using 91 buses and 77 routes across the region. The division operates its own transportation system, employing 77 regular drivers and maintaining a roster of spare drivers to cover absences and route changes.

    The department’s director, Sandy Stewart, notes that recruiting new drivers has changed significantly over the years. Traditionally, many drivers came from farm families or were retirees looking for part-time work, but this is no longer the norm. In response, the division has opened the door to younger parents by allowing drivers to bring children aged 3 and older on a trial basis, subject to safety requirements.

    Becoming a school bus driver requires extensive training, which typically takes between four and six weeks and includes first aid, fire safety, and S endorsement certification. Drivers must also obtain a Class 2 licence. The division conducts all training in-house and evaluates each candidate individually.

    Safety remains the top priority for the department, with a focus on reinforcing safety culture in the community. One of the department’s biggest concerns involves motorists ignoring school bus stop signs and flashing red lights, which Stewart believes stems from differences in school bus operating procedures between Calgary and surrounding areas.

    Bus drivers wear many hats, building strong relationships with students and having a significant impact on their day. Drivers often become a trusted adult figure for students, and their role extends beyond simply providing transportation. The department aims to build a school bus safety culture in the community, and is asking motorists, parents, and community members to play a role in keeping children safe.

    Despite the challenges, the division is benefiting from a stable workforce, with low driver turnover and some employees remaining behind the wheel for decades. One example is Darlene Malin, who drives Route 19 in Okotoks and is entering her 30th year with the division.

    Operating a transportation department involves careful planning and maintenance, with rising costs for fuel, parts, and vehicles adding pressure to transportation budgets. The department’s success comes from experienced support staff, mechanics, and route planners who work together to keep the system running efficiently.

    As students head back to school, Stewart is emphasizing the importance of community support in keeping children safe. “Bus safety is not just about the bus driver and the students,” she said. “It’s about bus drivers, school administration, community, and other motorists. It’s a big community.”

  • Okotoks Municipal Centre to Shine Bright for Local Awareness Campaigns

    The town is shining a light on these important causes.

    The Town of Okotoks is showing its support for several important awareness campaigns this month by illuminating the municipal centre in a variety of colours.

    On September 1, the municipal centre will be bathed in gold to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a cause close to the hearts of many Okotoks residents.

    Later in the week, the centre will be lit up in light teal on September 4 to raise awareness for National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day, and in blue on September 7 to support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

    The Town of Okotoks has a tradition of using the municipal centre’s lighting to celebrate community contributions, commemorate losses, and participate in positive global initiatives.

  • Okotoks Residents Invited to Shape Future of Local Transit Services

    The town is "on the right track" by seeking resident feedback to improve its transit services.

    Okotoks residents are being asked to share their thoughts on the town’s public transit system as part of a community engagement process to inform future planning and improvements.

    The Town of Okotoks launched fixed-route transit in 2025, complementing its existing on-demand service, to provide residents with a reliable and convenient public transit option during peak travel periods. As the town continues to grow, the Town is seeking input from current transit customers, potential future riders, and residents to help guide the next phase of transit planning.

    “We want to better understand how residents use transit today and what improvements would make the service more convenient, accessible, and effective,” said Chris MacIsaac, Community Identity Manager. “Whether you ride transit regularly, occasionally, or not at all, your feedback is valuable.”

    The online survey, which runs from August 31 to September 16, asks participants about their experiences with transit services, service priorities and challenges, and potential future service expansions. Feedback gathered through the survey will help identify priorities and inform future investments and service improvements.

    Residents can complete the online survey at ShapeOurTown.ca/Okotoks, participate by phone by calling 403-842-2515, or attend one of the pop-up sessions listed below:

    • September 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre
    • September 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Okotoks Public Library
    • September 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Okotoks Recreation Centre
    • September 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Okotoks Seniors Centre

  • Temporary Pedestrian Detour in Place Near Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks

    It looks like students will have to "dig" a little deeper to find their way to school this year.

    Students and parents walking to Holy Trinity Academy in Okotoks will need to take a temporary detour when classes resume Monday due to ongoing construction in the area.

    The Town of Okotoks has set up a temporary pedestrian detour near the intersection of 32 Street and Crystal Green Lane, where underground water and sanitary sewer utilities are being completed.

    • Pedestrian access to Holy Trinity Academy and St. James Church remains open.
    • A temporary signed route directs pedestrians north along the pathway beside 32 Street, then through a gravel access road near Crystal Green Lane, before cutting back towards the path.

    The town is asking pedestrians to watch for posted signs and remain on the designated route while construction is underway.

    The lane closure at 32 Street and Crystal Green Lane began around August 5, with an initial estimated completion date of August 28. However, the temporary pedestrian detour is now expected to remain in place until mid-September.

    No traffic disruptions are anticipated in the area, although reduced speed zones will be in effect.

    For more information, including a map of the affected area, visit the Town of Okotoks’ lane closure map.

  • Okotoks RCMP Emphasize School Bus Safety as New School Year Begins

    "Bus-iness as usual" requires a little extra caution this time of year.

    As the new school year gets underway, Okotoks RCMP are urging motorists to exercise caution when encountering school buses on the roads. The police force is reminding drivers that school bus safety is a top priority, especially during early morning hours when roads can be busy and distractions are common.

    Children can be unpredictable near roadways, particularly when entering or exiting a bus, making it crucial for motorists to remain vigilant and aware of bus stop procedures and passing laws. According to the RCMP, drivers must stop for school buses with red flashing lights and an extended stop arm, unless the roadway is physically divided by a median.

    Here are some key school bus laws to keep in mind:

    • When a bus is stopped with red flashing lights and an extended stop arm, drivers in both directions must stop, unless the roadway is physically divided by a median.
    • On divided highways, only vehicles approaching the rear of the bus are required to stop.
    • Motorists must not proceed until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been retracted.
    • Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, and drivers must slow down and prepare to stop.

    Failing to stop for a school bus can result in a fine of up to $567 and six demerit points.

  • New Emergency Vet Clinic Coming to Okotoks After Closure of SAVE

    It looks like Okotoks is paws-itive about its new vet clinic!

    The Okotoks community is in for a welcome surprise as some staff members from the recently closed Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE) clinic have announced plans to open a new emergency veterinary clinic in the area.

    The news was shared at SAVE’s farewell event, “Paws in the Park(ing) Lot,” held on Sunday, Aug. 30, which served as a final send-off for the clinic.

    According to practice manager Cheryl Brown, the new clinic will operate from a yet-to-be-revealed location, with a confirmed timeline for its opening still pending.

    Despite the uncertainty surrounding the new clinic’s details, SAVE has confirmed that the financial support it has received will ensure the new operation moves forward.

    The farewell event also featured a variety of activities, including multiple rescues showcasing adoptable animals, local vendors, and food trucks offering specialty treats, such as pup cups and wood-fired pizzas.

    The permanent closure of SAVE, located at 322233 15 St. E. in the Foothills, took place on Sunday, Aug. 30.

  • Okotoks Celebrates Alberta’s 121st Anniversary with Movies and Old West Showdown

    The "shootout" at the Movies in the Park was a "blast" from the past!

    Okotoks residents kicked off the Alberta Day celebrations on August 28th with a fun-filled evening of movies, history, and entertainment at Ethel Tucker Park.

    The Town of Okotoks hosted its Alberta Day edition of Movies in the Park, featuring a range of activities throughout the afternoon and evening leading up to Alberta Day on September 1st.

    The festivities began at 4 p.m. with face painting and food trucks, followed by a historical performance by the Guns of the Golden West, a Calgary-based troupe that brought Alberta’s frontier history to life with Fur Trade and Old West-era characters.

    The troupe’s performance culminated in an Old West-style theatrical shootout using non-lethal props, which drew a crowd of enthusiastic spectators.

    Attendees were also treated to free barbequed smokies and burgers, adding to the festive atmosphere.

    As the evening drew to a close, the focus shifted to the big screen, where a double feature of Cool Runnings and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was screened under the stars.

    The special edition of Movies in the Park was held in recognition of Alberta’s official birthday on September 1, 1905, which has been designated as Alberta Day by the provincial government.

    This year marked Alberta’s 121st anniversary, and the Town of Okotoks celebrated with a range of activities, including historical performances, free food, games, and community connection.