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Category: Sports

  • Okotoks Wood Bat Tournament Donates $5K to Foothills Country Hospice

    The Kin Club's home run for hospice care is a grand slam for the community.

    The Foothills Country Hospice has received a significant boost in its fundraising efforts, thanks to the annual Okotoks Wood Bat Tournament. The event, hosted by the Kin Club of Okotoks and the Percy Pegler Men’s Slo-Pitch League, raised $5,000 for the organization.

    The tournament, which takes place each July using wooden bats, was inspired by Kin Club member Bob Bayley, who received care at Foothills Country Hospice. The funds raised will directly support the organization’s end-of-life care services, as well as outreach initiatives such as Grief Support and Compassionate Communities programs.

    According to Timmi Shorr, Foothills Country Hospice Fund Development Officer, the donation is a testament to the strength of the local community. “Generosity like this directly touches the lives of the individuals and families who rely on us, allowing us to deliver compassionate, end-of-life care,” Shorr said.

    The Kin Club of Okotoks and the Percy Pegler Men’s Slo-Pitch League have been long-time supporters of Foothills Country Hospice, and their efforts have made a significant impact on the organization’s ability to provide care to those in need.

    For more information about Foothills Country Hospice and its services, visit their website.

  • Dawgs Alum Tristan Peters Continues Hot Streak in MLB

    Peters is hitting a home run with his rookie season.

    Tristan Peters, a former Okotoks Dawgs player, is making waves in the MLB with his impressive home run streak. The 26-year-old centre fielder for the Chicago White Sox has homered in four consecutive games, including a recent 11-7 victory over the Texas Rangers.

    Peters’ current streak leaves him one shy of tying the White Sox franchise record of five consecutive games with a home run. His impressive performance comes just over a year after he made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 8, 2025.

    Across his last seven games, Peters has batted .318 and reached base in more than 42 per cent of his plate appearances. His journey to the MLB began with the Dawgs Academy, where he played as a 16-year-old from Winkler, Man.

    Peters established a league record for hits in a single season with 90 during his breakout season with the Dawgs in 2019. He was named the WCBL Canadian Rookie of the Year for his performance that season.

    Peters now has a chance to tie the White Sox franchise record for consecutive games with a home run when they face the Rangers again tonight at 5:40 p.m.

  • Okotoks’ Old Church Theatre Unveils Diverse Season of Music, Theatre, and Comedy

    The Old Church Theatre is "stringing" together a great season of entertainment!

    Okotoks residents are in for a treat as the Old Church Theatre announces its upcoming season of live music, theatrical productions, and stand-up comedy. Running from September 2026 through May 2027, the diverse lineup brings together national award-winning performers and local talent for the community.

    The season’s concert offerings feature a range of genres, including 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.

    Patrons can take advantage of tiered season ticket discounts by 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. See the schedule for complete artist details, showtimes and ticket purchases.

  • Okotoks Oilers Seek Host Families for Upcoming Season

    It's a "power play" for the community to come together and support these young athletes.

    The Okotoks Oilers are gearing up for the new season and are in need of host families to provide accommodations for their young players. Each year, the team relies on local families to open their homes to players from around the world, aged 16 to 20, from the start of training camp in September to the end of March or April, if the team makes the playoffs.

    In exchange for their hospitality, host families receive a $500 stipend for groceries, exclusive grocery discounts, and season tickets. This year, the team has also partnered with Soul Sugar Catering to provide pre-cooked meals for the families. According to Sheena Denscombe, who coordinates the billet program, the athletes can eat up to 10,000 calories a day, making the grocery stipend and discounts a welcome support.

    Jenn Ashton, coordinator for the U17AAA & U17AA boys and U18AAA girls, emphasizes that being billeted is a privilege for the players, and that the families provide a “soft place to land” for young people who are often away from home for the first time. The Okotoks Oilers Athletic Association (OOAA) is looking to billet up to 18 student athletes this season, most of whom will attend Foothills Composite High School.

    The OOAA has a strong partnership with the school, which works with the students to arrange their schedules and timetables to accommodate their hockey program. The program also emphasizes the importance of being responsible students, and provides tutors to support the players with their studies.

    If you are interested in becoming a host family or would like more information, please contact [email protected].

  • Okotoks Motorcycle Rally Raises Over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish

    It's clear that the Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally is "revving up" support for Make-A-Wish.

    The Caltronics Cruisers Motorcycle Rally, which kicked off in Okotoks, has raised over $16,000 for Make-A-Wish Canada. The annual event, sponsored by Prairie Mobile Communications, saw 26 riders travel from Okotoks to Longview along the Highwood Pass before looping back through Kananaskis and into Cochrane.

    Organized by Georges LeBlanc and his wife, Susan, this year marked their 17th year hosting the event. The couple had set a fundraising goal of $10,000, which they exceeded with the final total.

    LeBlanc said the sunshine and warm weather made for a great day, and he enjoys supporting Make-A-Wish each year and bringing more recognition to the foundation. This is the fifth year that they’ve done this particular ride, and it keeps growing every year.

    One of the participants, Dayn Barlow, has been involved in the rally since 2017. He enjoys seeing new and familiar faces each year and getting to know people from all walks of life, including those whose lives have been touched by Make-A-Wish.

    Barlow also appreciates the LeBlancs’ efforts to make a difference in the community. “You get people like George and Susan that invest and support the community in quiet ways,” he said. “It’s really heartwarming.”