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Category: Sports

  • 100 Years of Curling Community in Okotoks Celebrated with Events and Reflections

    "Rocking" a century of curling in Okotoks!

    Okotoks’ rich curling history dates back to the early days of the sport, when local curlers would gather on the frozen Sheep River to play the game. The Oilfields Curling Club (OCC), formerly the Turner Valley Oilfields Curling Association, has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly a century.

    From its humble beginnings, the club has grown and evolved, with members adapting to changing times and technologies. In the early days, curlers would bring their own rocks to the rink, made from handmade wooden materials with iron handles. The club’s first home was built near the Turner Valley Gas Plant, featuring three sheets of natural ice.

    Over the years, the OCC has hosted numerous provincial championships and has produced many talented curlers, including those who have gone on to compete at the national level. The club’s junior curling program has also been a source of pride, with several young athletes developing their skills and competing in provincial and national championships.

    Today, the OCC is a thriving community hub, with over 166 registered curlers and a variety of leagues available for players of all skill levels. The club’s 100th anniversary celebrations are underway, featuring events such as an open house, Learn to Curl program, and special edition of the Little Brown Jug Bonspiel.

    “This club has been a great place to get to know the community,” said OCC 100 Year Committee member Judy Price. “It’s a welcoming place, with any skill level welcome to join the league.”

    The OCC’s commitment to community and curling is evident in its many achievements and milestones. As the club looks to the future, it remains a vital part of Okotoks’ cultural fabric, providing a space for people to come together and enjoy the sport they love.

  • 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/.

  • Diamond Valley and Priddis residents invited to Recycle Roundup

    "Waste" not, want not – take advantage of this recycling opportunity!

    Foothills County is hosting a Recycle Roundup event in Diamond Valley and Priddis this weekend, providing residents with a convenient opportunity to recycle various household items. On Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., residents can bring in electronics, paint, used oil materials, and household hazardous waste to be recycled at designated transfer stations.

    In Diamond Valley, recyclables can be taken to the Diamond Valley Transfer Station, located on the west side of Black Diamond, just off the Highway 22 and 402 Avenue W intersection. In Priddis, recyclables can be dropped off at the Priddis Transfer Station, southeast of the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club at the Priddis Greens Drive W and Hawks Landing Drive intersection.

    It’s worth noting that these items can be recycled year-round at no cost at the Foothills Regional Landfill south of Okotoks. However, the Recycle Roundup brings the opportunity a little closer to home for Diamond Valley and Priddis residents.

  • 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.

  • Okotoks Oilers gear up for BCHL season opener in Brooks

    The Oilers are ready to "ice" the competition this season.

    The Okotoks Oilers are set to kick off their third season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) this Saturday, Sept. 19, as they face off against division rivals, the Brooks Bandits, at Centennial Regional Arena in Brooks.

    The team enters the season with a 2-1 preseason record, having defeated the Bandits 5-3 in their preseason finale on Sept. 12, after a 6-3 loss in their previous meeting on Sept. 11.

    Last season was a challenging one for the Oilers, who finished last in their division, but they’ve added some experienced pieces to their roster for this season, including 2007-born defenceman Tyler Russell and 2006-born winger Conner Radke.

    Returning players, such as Jeff Niehaus and Jamie Hikida, will also look to make an impact this season, with Niehaus scoring two goals across two preseason games, including the crucial go-ahead goal in the Oilers’ win against Brooks.

    The Oilers’ home opener will follow on Saturday, Sept. 26, as they take on the Spruce Grove Saints at Viking Rentals Arena.

  • Okotoks Skating Community Rallies Around Coach Diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer

    It's clear that Okotoks' skating community is "on thin ice" when it comes to supporting their beloved coach, Milara Okabe.

    The Okotoks skating community is coming together to support one of their own, Milara Okabe, a 22-year-old skating coach who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer that begins in glandular cells and can affect different parts of the body.

    The Okotoks Skating Club (OSC) has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Okabe and her family as they navigate treatment. The campaign, which has already reached $91,000, aims to ease some of the financial pressure and allow Okabe to focus on her care and well-being.

    OSC is also collecting cards from skaters, where Okabe’s students can write, draw, or share one of their favorite memories of her. The club will then send a care basket to help brighten Okabe’s days as she continues treatment.

    Okabe’s boyfriend, NHL prospect Austin Roest, has been promoting the GoFundMe campaign and sharing updates on her condition. The hockey community has also rallied around Okabe, with publications like the Daily Mail, E! News, and New York Post Sports sharing the story.

    Okabe announced the news of her diagnosis on Sept. 3, saying there is a lot of fear of the unknown, but that she is extremely lucky to have her friends and family. She expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported her in any way.

  • 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.

  • Local Teen Sensation Amelia Paquette to Open Seaman Stadium Concert

    Paquette's performance is sure to be a "country" mile ahead of the rest!

    The Seaman Stadium Concert returns to Okotoks this Saturday, Aug. 29, with a lineup of talented performers.

    Headlining the third annual end-of-summer concert celebration is Centerfield, a tribute band to John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival, recreating the band’s timeless classics and solo hits.

    Opening the event is local country singer-songwriter and 2025 Okotoks Got Talent winner, Amelia Paquette. Paquette will take the stage at 6 p.m. with her band, The Back 40, performing a variety of country tunes, including an original song.

    Paquette, a 14-year-old singer, has been busy performing at events throughout the summer, including the Strathmore Stampede Emerging Artist Showcase and the Okotoks Show and Shine. She expressed her excitement about performing at the Seaman Stadium Concert, stating that it will be her largest performance to date.

    Stadium gates open at 5 p.m., with music starting at 6 p.m. Centerfield takes the stage at 9 p.m. General admission and grandstand tickets are available, with grandstand tickets priced at $53.

  • Okotoks Lions Campground serves as hub for Friends of Sheep River planting event

    Planting seeds of community spirit in Okotoks!

    Friends of Sheep River is shifting its planting location this Saturday, August 29, due to ongoing construction on Riverside Drive and South Railway Street. The group will now plant south of the Riverside Disc Golf Course, adjacent to the water treatment plant.

    The native plants being planted were rescued from Cochrane’s Fireship development area. Volunteers are invited to lend a hand, with parking available at the Okotoks Lions Campground. The event is expected to take about two hours, starting at 3 p.m.

    Group manager Ryan Hayward advises participants to bring their own shovels, appropriate footwear, and necessary accessories. Snacks and drinks will be provided, and participants will be entered into a raffle for local business merchandise.

    At the group’s first public planting on August 15, 10 volunteers reintroduced 239 native plants to the Sheep River, valued at $4,323. For more information, visit the Friends of Sheep River website.

  • Okotoks’ Old Church Theatre Unveils Vibrant 2026/2027 Season Lineup

    It looks like the curtain is about to rise on a fantastic season in Okotoks!

    Raise the curtain on a year of entertainment in Okotoks! The Old Church Theatre has announced its upcoming season, featuring a diverse lineup of live music, theatrical productions, and stand-up comedy. Running from September 2026 through May 2027, the season promises to bring together national award-winning performers and local talent to the community stage.

    The concert offerings include performances by Canadian folk icon Valdy, contemporary folk singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker, Edmonton vocal sensation 6 Minute Warning, Calgary vocalist ANNIKA, and traditional Irish quartet Tulua. Audiences can also look forward to musical comedy from prairie duo Lewis & Royal, an all-Canadian sing-along with Piano Heist, and a stand-up comedy night presented by Yuk Yuk’s on Tour.

    Live theatre remains a highlight of the season, with the Erratic Players presenting a two-actor reimagining of “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” alongside three productions from the Dewdney Players: the curling comedy “Hurry Hard,” the spring farce “Bare Bones,” and their annual showcase of One Act Plays. The season opens this fall with an interactive “Beetlejuice” Movie Party complete with audience participation.

    For those looking to save, the Old Church Theatre is offering tiered season ticket discounts for purchasing tickets to multiple regular season performances in a single transaction. Discounts range from 10% for 3-4 shows to 20% for 7 or more shows.

    Tickets are available in advance online or at the door prior to each performance, subject to availability. For complete artist details, showtimes, and ticket purchases, see the schedule or call the box office.