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  • 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.

  • Cimarron Boulevard Parking Bans in Effect for Median Tree Maintenance

    It's time to branch out and find a new parking spot!

    Residents of Okotoks are advised that temporary parking bans will be in place on sections of Cimarron Boulevard to facilitate median tree maintenance operations. The parking bans will be in effect on the following days and times:

    • September 9, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cimarron Boulevard between Southridge Drive and Cimarron Drive
    • September 10, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cimarron Boulevard between Cimarron Drive and 32 Street

    During the parking ban periods, all vehicles and obstructions must be removed from the roadway. Traffic accommodations will be in place to direct vehicles around the work area. Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes where possible.

    Waste collection, emergency services, and Canada Post delivery will not be impacted by the parking bans. For more information, visit okotoks.ca/maintenance-routes or contact Municipal Enforcement at 403-995-6302 or Transportation at 403-938-8952.

  • Okotoks pool reopens after summer maintenance

    The pool is now "dive"ing back into action.

    After a brief closure for annual maintenance, the Riley Minue Lap Pool, Swindells Pool, hot tub, and sauna in Okotoks are once again open to the public. The facilities closed in mid-August to allow crews to complete scheduled maintenance and ensure they remain safe, clean, and operating efficiently.

    The maintenance work has now been completed, and the facility is open with drop-in schedules resuming. For those looking to plan their visit, the Town of Okotoks provides a drop-in schedule on their website, which can be accessed here.

  • Okotoks man charged with indecent act after exposing himself to driver in D’Arcy Ranch

    McIsaac's actions were a "plate" form example of indecent behavior.

    An incident in the D’Arcy Ranch area has led to charges against an Okotoks resident. On September 1, the Okotoks RCMP responded to a report of a man exposing himself to a driver in a nearby vehicle.

    The victim provided the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle, which led to the arrest of Drew McIsaac, a 21-year-old Okotoks man. McIsaac has been charged with committing an indecent act.

    This is not McIsaac’s first charge of this nature; he was previously charged with the same offense on August 14. McIsaac was held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and was released with conditions.

    He is scheduled to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks on September 25.

    The Okotoks RCMP handled the investigation and made the arrest.

  • 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.

  • Highway Lane Closure Planned for Okotoks Development Work

    It's a stormy road ahead for Okotoks drivers.

    Residents of Okotoks can expect a lane closure on Highway 2A near Wedderburn Drive starting September 8, 2026, as part of the ongoing development of the D’Arcy subdivision. The southbound lane on the west side of the highway will be closed until September 12, 2026, while construction crews install a new storm sewer manhole and build a new access road into the development.

    The intersection will remain open, and digital message boards will be in place to alert drivers to the closure. Traffic delays are expected, particularly during peak travel times, and traffic-control guides will be on site as needed.

    Motorists are advised to slow down, follow all posted signage and traffic-control measures, and use caution when traveling through the area. Construction crews, heavy equipment, and construction-related noise can be expected during working hours.

    The lane closure is part of Phase 18 of the D’Arcy development, which includes the installation of a storm sewer manhole and a new access connection to the development area.

    • Start Date: September 8, 2026
    • End Date: September 12, 2026
    • Hours: Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

    For more information, please refer to the map of the work area provided by the Town of Okotoks: D’Arcy subdivision work area map.

  • Ridgemont Subdivision Utility Work to Wrap Up in Okotoks by September 30

    It's a sewer-ious undertaking, but it's necessary to keep Okotoks flowing smoothly.

    Residents of the Ridgemont subdivision in Okotoks can expect utility work along 32 Street and Crystal Green Lane to continue until September 30. The project involves the extension of the sanitary trunk main, installation of a new manhole, and completion of underground water and sanitary sewer utility connections.

    • The work is scheduled to start on August 5, 2026, and will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday.
    • While 32 Street and the intersection at Crystal Green Lane will remain open to traffic, traffic delays are expected, particularly during peak travel times.
    • Reduced speeds will be in effect near the construction area, and traffic and pedestrian detours may remain in place 24 hours a day as required.
    • Access to properties along Crystal Green Lane will be maintained, with posted signage directing traffic via a gravel access road as needed.

    The developer-led project is required to support the Ridgemont Phase 1 development. For more information, residents can contact Lamont Land at [email protected] or 403-252-7575.

  • 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.