okotoks.news

Tag: Business

  • Okotoks landfill pilot diverts 21 per cent of construction waste

    Okotoks is building momentum by wasting less.

    A Town of Okotoks pilot project diverted 21 per cent of construction waste from the landfill during its first phase, with officials saying improved sorting could push future diversion rates above 50 per cent.

    The Pop-Up Landfill Pilot Project tested ways to recover and recycle materials from construction and demolition work, which the town says accounts for about 45 per cent of landfill waste.

    The project found that on-site sorting could be added to construction sites without disrupting work. It also identified potential long-term savings through better separation of materials before disposal.

    Azimuth Builders took part in the first phase. Future phases are expected to expand into residential construction, working with Okotoks builders and exploring opportunities with neighbouring municipalities.

    The town says the initiative supports its sustainability, waste reduction and circular economy goals, as well as objectives in its Corporate Business Plan, Environmental Master Plan and Climate Action Plan.

    Builders and developers interested in future waste diversion initiatives can contact the town through okotoks.ca/environment-sustainability.

  • Okotoks drivers should expect partial closure on Southbank Crescent

    That route may be taking a crescent-shaped detour for now.

    A section of Southbank Crescent is under a partial road closure until August 7, according to the Town of Okotoks.

    Drivers in the area should plan for possible delays and use caution around the work zone.

    A work area image is available through the town’s notice: Southbank Crescent work area image.

  • Okotoks road work closes part of Westmount Road and Southridge Drive until Aug. 14

    This closure may be a bit of a road tie-up.

    A partial road closure is in place at Westmount Road and Southridge Drive in Okotoks until Aug. 14.

    The Town of Okotoks source material refers to tie-in work in the area, with a linked work-area image available here.

    Drivers should expect impacts near the intersection and plan routes accordingly.

  • Okotoks cooling stations open through Aug. 4 during heat warning

    Okotoks is giving residents a cool way to weather the heat.

    The Town of Okotoks has opened several cooling stations to help residents during the ongoing heat wave.

    The stations are available until Aug. 4 at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, Okotoks Municipal Centre, Viking Rentals Centre, Okotoks Public Library, Okotoks Art Gallery, and Okotoks Museum & Archives.

    The facilities are open during regular business hours and will have bottled water available. The town says they can also provide indoor relief when outdoor air quality is poor.

    The town said the stations were opened in response to an Environment and Climate Change Canada heat warning. It is continuing to monitor conditions and may adjust availability if needed.

    Okotoks Spray Park hours have also been extended to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the heat wave, though hours may change. Residents are encouraged to check the town’s recreation updates before going.

    The town is advising residents to limit strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothing and sun protection, and check on people who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat.

    Residents should never leave people or pets in parked vehicles. Anyone who sees an animal left in a vehicle is asked to call 9-1-1.

    People who feel overheated should stop what they are doing, move to shade or a cool indoor space, and drink fluids. Medical help should be sought immediately if someone faints or loses consciousness.

    The town is also reminding residents to use caution around rivers, wear a properly fitted lifejacket or personal flotation device, and avoid storm ponds, where swimming and recreation are not allowed. More river safety information is available online.

    Outdoor watering rules remain in effect, and residents can find their assigned watering days at okotoks.ca/water.

  • Nanton joins FlixBus route that also stops in Okotoks

    With Okotoks on the route, this service is making all the right stops.

    Nanton has been added to FlixBus’s intercity bus network, giving passengers another travel option on a route that also includes Okotoks, Claresholm and Fort Macleod.

    Service began Thursday, July 30, with pick-up and drop-off at the Nanton Visitor Information Centre. From Nanton, travellers can access up to four daily departures with connections to Calgary, Calgary International Airport, Red Deer, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Regina and Winnipeg.

    The Town of Nanton said the timing lines up with Nanton Round-Up Days, which run July 31 to Aug. 3. The town also noted the Visitor Information Centre does not provide day or overnight parking, so passengers need to arrange parking elsewhere.

    FlixBus says passengers can expect fares, seating, Wi-Fi, power outlets and luggage allowance typical of its intercity service. Tickets are available through the FlixBus website.

  • Foothills venues line up World Cup viewing events

    Local fans should have no trouble finding a place to kick back.

    Soccer fans in Okotoks and nearby communities will have several places to watch the FIFA World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

    The 2026 tournament includes 48 countries and 104 matches in 16 host cities. It is the first FIFA World Cup hosted in Canada, and local venues are planning watch parties and food specials throughout the month-long event.

    Okotoks Elks Hall will show matches at the Elks Lounge, with beer, chicken tenders, fries and wing specials available. Secretary Rose Marie Litwin said the lounge has big-screen TVs and a new patio with a television for outdoor viewing. Updates are expected on the Elks’ Facebook page. Funds raised by the Elks support community initiatives, including youth groups and programs.

    The Turner Valley Golf Club is offering World Cup specials at the Royalite Grill through the final on Sunday, July 19. Its licensed patio and restaurant are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with daily specials, homemade soups and an appetizer deal.

    In Okotoks, The George Traditional House will show matches on more than 20 televisions with full sound. The pub is also offering a free Banger on a Bun during England matches until halftime.

    The Canadian Brewhouse locations are showing every World Cup match through the final. The restaurant chain is also running a Coca-Cola partnership contest for tickets to a FIFA World Cup match.

    For families willing to travel into Calgary, the Calgary Minor Soccer Association is hosting Team Canada watch parties at Eau Claire Plaza with a large LED screen, food trucks, mascots and interactive drills led by Cavalry FC and Calgary Wild FC.

    Scheduled Calgary watch parties include:

    • June 12, 1 p.m.: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at Eau Claire Plaza
    • June 18, 4 p.m.: Canada vs. Qatar at Eau Claire Plaza
    • June 24, 1 p.m.: Canada vs. Switzerland at Eau Claire Plaza
    • July 19, 1 p.m.: FIFA World Cup final on Stephen Avenue, with teams to be determined

  • Okotoks children to run 38 stands as Lemonade Day returns

    After six years, Okotoks is ready to make a fresh squeeze.

    Lemonade Day is returning to Okotoks on Saturday, June 13, after a six-year break.

    The Okotoks Optimist Club is hosting the event, which will feature 38 lemonade stands across town. Each stand will be run by local children as a hands-on lesson in operating a small business.

    The program began in Houston, Texas, in 2007 and is designed to teach children and youth entrepreneurial skills, including financial literacy, responsibility and basic money management. Organizers say nearly 750,000 participants have taken part across North America since the program began, with more than 150,000 students expected in more than 50 communities this year.

    Parents are encouraged to help children plan and run their stands. Local businesses and organizations are also supporting the event by mentoring participants and providing stand locations.

    Organizers say charitable giving is part of the program, with 63 per cent of Lemonade Day participants choosing to donate some proceeds to community charities.

    A map of Okotoks stand locations is available on the Okotoks Lemonade Day website.

  • Okotoks council approves four-year strategic plan

    That is the local angle, with no need to headline in circles.

    Okotoks town council adopted its 2027-2030 Strategic Plan at its regular meeting on June 8.

    The plan sets council’s direction for the next four years and is organized around three priorities: people, place and business. Town officials say the plan is guided by an “Identity First” approach, with an emphasis on community connection, small-town character and local quality of life.

    The town says the plan was informed by feedback from the municipal election, the 2025 Community Priorities Survey and the 2025 Budget Engagement process.

    Under the people priority, the plan includes goals for belonging and community wellbeing, as well as relationship-building between council, residents and community organizations. Those goals include improving access to activities, services and amenities, strengthening engagement practices and improving how the town gathers and uses resident feedback.

    The place priority focuses on planning for built and natural spaces. Its goals are neighbourhood connectivity and daily destinations with vibrant public spaces.

    The business priority is aimed at supporting the local economy. Its goals include retaining and attracting businesses, expanding local employment opportunities and creating places where different types of businesses can establish and grow.

    The plan also identifies internal municipal priorities, including work on long-term financial planning, updates to the town’s off-site levy bylaw and replacement of the town’s Enterprise Resource Planning system.

    <PUN: Okotoks now has a plan with a strong sense of place.

  • Water Not Coal campaign says it has met Alberta petition threshold

    For now, the campaign has cleared a major seam in the process.

    Corb Lund’s Water Not Coal campaign says it has collected enough signatures to meet the minimum requirement under Alberta’s Citizen Initiative Act.

    The petition seeks legislation to stop new coal mining and exploration on Alberta’s Eastern Slopes. It specifically names Northback Holdings’ Grassy Mountain Mine and Valory Resources’ Blackstone Mine project.

    The campaign needed 177,732 signatures between Feb. 11 and June 10 to move the citizen-led initiative forward. Lund made stops in High River and Okotoks on June 8 during the final days of signature collection.

    Since launching in February, organizers say more than 3,000 registered canvassers have collected signatures across Alberta, including at community events, markets, ranches, breweries, sidewalks and doorsteps. The campaign also included a multi-day horseback ride from Longview to Edmonton to draw attention to concerns about coal development in the Eastern Slopes.

    A Water Not Coal news release said the effort reflects concern about potential long-term effects of coal mining on water quality, headwaters protection and downstream communities.

    Lund, campaign organizers and volunteers are scheduled to deliver the petition to Elections Alberta on June 10 at 3 p.m. for formal verification.

    If Elections Alberta validates the petition, the initiative will move to the next step under the Citizen Initiative Act.

  • Okotoks council approves strategic plan for 2027 to 2030

    Okotoks is planning ahead while keeping its sense of place firmly on the map.

    Okotoks town council adopted its 2027-2030 Strategic Plan at its June 8 meeting, setting priorities for municipal decisions, investments and services over the next four years.

    The plan is built around an “Identity First” focus, which the town says means future decisions will consider how to protect and strengthen Okotoks’ character while supporting community connection.

    The town says the plan was informed by feedback gathered through the municipal election, the 2025 Community Priorities Survey and the 2025 Budget Engagement process.

    The plan identifies three main priority areas:

    1. People: supporting belonging and wellbeing through access to recreation, arts, amenities and services, while building relationships with residents and community partners.
    2. Place: supporting connected neighbourhoods and public spaces, improving access to everyday destinations and protecting local character and natural areas.
    3. Business: supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, attracting suitable investment and creating more opportunities for people to work closer to home.

    The town says those priorities will be backed by financial management, updated systems and more efficient processes intended to keep municipal services reliable and affordable.

    Progress will be reported through the Town’s Corporate Business Plan, annual reporting and regular updates during the year.

    Council’s current strategic plan remains in place through the end of 2026. The new plan will help guide budget and planning discussions for 2027 and later years.

    The full 2027-2030 Strategic Plan is available online, along with more information at okotoks.ca/strategic-plan.