Category: Local News

It seems the Ardiel Residence's fate is still up for debate.

Mediation efforts between the Town of Okotoks and the owner of the historic Ardiel Residence, located at 50 McRae Street, have come to an end without a successful resolution. The town announced the termination of the mediation process in September, after failing to reach an agreement.

The dispute began in mid-2025, when the property owner faced a series of complaints that led to town investigations. Although most of the complaints were deemed unfounded, the town anticipated that issues related to the historic and current site conditions would be addressed through mediation.

Despite entering mediation in June, the parties were unable to come to a mutually acceptable agreement. A demolition permit for the century-old building was issued in the spring, which may have contributed to the lack of progress in the mediation talks.

For more information on the town’s statement regarding the 50 McRae Street property, visit the Town of Okotoks’ website.

It's time to "recycle" your old recycling habits!

Okotoks residents will soon have more opportunities to recycle, thanks to the province’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program, which takes effect on October 1, 2026.

The expanded program will accept a wider range of materials, including plastic bags, overwrap, foam packaging, food and body aerosols, foam containers, flexible plastics, and other packaging materials that were previously not collected through the residential recycling program.

Residents with questions or concerns about the blue cart service can contact T&T Disposal Services at 403-938-7930 or [email protected].

The expanded list of accepted materials includes:

• Food spray, whipping cream, hairspray, air fresheners, shaving cream, and deodorant
• Bags used for dry cleaning, bread, newspapers, and flyers, as well as overwrap, coffee bags, deli pouches, chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal liner bags, and plastic gift bags
• Deodorant, toothpaste, and lotion or hand cream tubes
• Meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls, and foam packaging

Fuel for thought – prices are dropping, but for how long?

Alberta’s suspension of the 13-cent-per-litre provincial fuel tax came into effect yesterday, and Okotoks residents are already seeing the effects. As of October 1, the average price of regular gas in Okotoks was 166.9 cents per litre, down from 176.2 cents per litre on September 30.

According to Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, prices may continue to drop as stations sell through their existing fuel supplies and purchase untaxed fuel. “You’re not going to necessarily see a 13-cent drop all at once,” De Haan said. “Stations that bought fuel yesterday have potentially thousands of liters that they paid tax on and are unlikely to want to pass the full drop along.”

As of yesterday, the provincial average gas price in Alberta was 162.2 cents per litre, down 5 cents from the previous week. De Haan noted that it’s difficult to predict where prices will be when the tax break lifts on December 31, citing ongoing geopolitical tensions.

It’s worth noting that the suspension of the fuel tax will remain in place until the end of the year, and it’s possible to see some price changes in the grocery store due to lower transportation costs during the tax break.

She's corralled her passion for rodeo and is still lassoing the competition.

At 74 years old, Suzanne DePaoli is heading to her fifth Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) this October, a testament to her enduring passion for barrel racing.

DePaoli, who grew up on a farm just east of Okotoks, has been involved in rodeo since she was a teenager. She first attended the CFR in 1989 and has qualified for the event four more times, including this year, when she finished fifth in Canada with $37,065 in earnings.

DePaoli credits her active lifestyle and dedication to physical conditioning for her ability to continue competing at a high level. She lifts weights regularly and spends nearly every day on the back of a horse, thanks to her ranching work west of Longview.

Since she started racing as a teen, DePaoli has seen significant changes in the sport. Barrel racing was once considered less competitive and less serious than other rodeo events, but it has since gained recognition and respect. The sport has also become more inclusive, with the addition of breakaway roping and other female sports.

DePaoli will attend the CFR with two horses, Redtag and Steven, both of which she believes have the potential to excel in the competition.

“I still feel pretty young,” DePaoli said, reflecting on her age and her continued involvement in the sport. “I’m lucky to be healthy, and so I don’t have any health issues right now, so that’s exciting.”

Shade structures will provide a "tree-mendous" upgrade to Triangle Park.

Okotoks residents and visitors will soon see improvements to Triangle Park as part of the Downtown Improvement Project. The park is currently closed for enhancement work, which includes the installation of shade structures and picnic table furniture.

According to the Town of Okotoks, the new amenities will enhance the comfort and usability of the park for both residents and visitors. While the work is underway, the lane behind Triangle Park will be closed intermittently, but North Railway Street and sidewalks in the area will remain open, and parking at nearby businesses will be maintained.

Residents and visitors are advised to use caution while in the area and to follow all signage. The park is expected to reopen on October 2.