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Tag: Okotoks

  • Road closures and construction continue in Okotoks area

    That's a lot of road work to navigate, but at least the updates help pave the way.

    Drivers in and around Okotoks should expect several road closures and construction zones this week and through the summer.

    Foothills County is advising motorists that 128 Street E will be closed to through traffic north of 402 Avenue E on June 9 while Public Works replaces a culvert. The one-day closure is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    The county says drivers can use alternate routes through 112 Street E and Highway 547, or 144 Street E and Highway 547.

    In Okotoks, the town’s construction season includes several ongoing projects:

    • North Railway Street is closed between Alberta Avenue and McRae Street until October for sewer main replacement, full road reconstruction, streetscaping and upgrades to Triangle Park.
    • Landscaping at the Tower Hill Reservoir site is underway through early June. The tennis court parking lot remains open while crews complete topsoil grading, sod installation and seeding.
    • A partial closure on Westmount Road and Southridge Drive remains in place until June 12 for underground utility tie-ins for the Westmount Townhomes development.
    • A partial closure on Wolf Crescent remains in place until June 12 for underground utility tie-ins connected to the new housing development at 75 Wolf Cres. in Wedderburn.
    • Work along Riverside Drive between Northridge Drive and Veterans Way in River’s Edge is scheduled from June through October. The project includes sewer upgrades, roadway and intersection improvements, sidewalks and on-street parking.

    The town says pothole repairs and line painting will continue throughout the community. Drivers are asked to slow down, follow posted signs and obey flag personnel.

    North of Okotoks, Alberta Transportation bridge rehabilitation work continues on Highway 2 and Highway 2A. Both highways remain open, but drivers should expect changing traffic patterns and extra travel time.

    According to 511 Alberta, the bridge work is expected to continue until Oct. 31. Eastbound lanes on the bridge remain open, while westbound traffic is being detoured. The speed limit in the construction zone is 30 km/h.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Young Racers Take Over Crystal Ridge Drive for Okotoks Soap Box Derby

    For Okotoks’ young drivers, it was all downhill in the best possible way.

    Crystal Ridge Drive became a race course Saturday as the Rotary Club of Okotoks held its 36th annual Soap Box Derby.

    Nearly 100 children, ages eight to 14, took part in the event, driving handmade soap box cars downhill while families watched from along the route.

    The carts ranged from movie-inspired designs, including vehicles based on Back to the Future and Dumb and Dumber, to creations styled as a military tank and a BMW sports car.

    Some racers also dressed for the occasion, with costumes including the Genie from Aladdin and a full-body chicken outfit.

    Racers competed four at a time, and each participant was scheduled for multiple runs. Awards included the Soap Box Cup for the fastest driver, along with recognition for creative cart design, paint work, original costume and driver enthusiasm.

    The event began at 9 a.m. and continued into the afternoon. Between races, families and competitors gathered at the bottom of the hill, where Rotary Club members served burgers and hot dogs.

    The derby remains a long-running Okotoks community event, drawing young racers, volunteers and spectators for a day focused on friendly competition and creative design.

  • Funnel cloud weather statement ends for Okotoks area

    With the advisory lifted, southern Alberta can let that forecast spin down.

    Environment Canada ended its special weather statement Sunday evening after conditions that could produce funnel clouds and isolated landspout tornadoes moved out of southern Alberta.

    The advisory had covered much of the region, including Okotoks, High River, Diamond Valley, Longview, Nanton, Claresholm, Blackie and Vulcan County.

    Forecasters said funnel clouds were possible under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms, where weak rotation can sometimes develop. While that rotation is usually not hazardous near the ground, Environment Canada said it can occasionally strengthen into a weak landspout tornado.

    Landspout tornadoes are generally associated with limited damage, but can still create risks by knocking down trees, damaging roofs or moving debris over short distances.

    With the remaining statements ended, the funnel cloud advisory is no longer in effect for the region.

  • Utility work to affect Westmount Road traffic June 1 to 12

    This project is tying things together beneath the surface.

    A partial road closure is scheduled at Westmount Road and Southridge Drive in the commercial business area from June 1 to June 12, 2026.

    The work involves underground utility tie-ins for water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer service. Crews are connecting the Westmount Townhomes development to existing municipal infrastructure.

    Work is scheduled daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Drivers can expect construction crews, heavy equipment, noise, traffic control and detour signage during the project.

    • The partial closure will be at the commercial intersection on Westmount Road, west of Southridge Drive.
    • Detours will remain in place 24 hours a day.
    • Access to nearby businesses will be maintained, though temporary delays or route changes may occur.
    • Work will be staged on one half of the intersection at a time to help maintain business access.

    Traffic will be redirected around the commercial area while the work is underway.

  • Okotoks summer concert series moves to Arts and Learning Campus Plaza

    With a bigger plaza and a full lineup, Okotoks is set to hit the right notes this summer.

    Okotoks’ Thursday Nights at the Plaza concert series will return in 2026 with a new location and eight scheduled summer performances.

    The free, family-friendly series begins July 9 and runs Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Arts and Learning Campus Plaza, beside the Okotoks Public Library at 7 Riverside Drive.

    The Town of Okotoks says the move is intended to accommodate larger crowds. Residents are encouraged to arrive early and bring lawn chairs or blankets. Parking will be available at the Okotoks Public Library, and the town recommends walking, cycling or using other active transportation where possible.

    The 2026 schedule is:

    The series is presented by Canadiana Music. More details are available on the town’s Thursday Nights at the Plaza page.

  • Okotoks limits facility access after criminal charges tied to child exploitation investigation

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

    The Town of Okotoks says it has issued a trespass notice barring access to Town facilities following recent criminal charges connected to an Okotoks RCMP investigation into possession of child sexual exploitation materials.

    The Town said the matter is now before the courts, and decisions about release conditions and court proceedings are handled through the judicial system. Public safety responsibilities remain with law enforcement.

    Municipal officials said they are working with Okotoks RCMP to stay informed and share verified information with residents as it becomes available. The Town also said it is seeking clarity about community concerns over the coming 63 days.

    Residents are being asked to avoid speculation, remain respectful, and not take action themselves. Anyone with information or safety concerns can contact Okotoks RCMP at 403-995-6400.

    <PUN: The Town is keeping this response within its jurisdictional bounds.

  • Sheep River flow easing as Okotoks keeps stream advisory active

    The river may be running high, but Okotoks is trying to keep residents current.

    The Town of Okotoks says the Sheep River is continuing to drop, though a high streamflow advisory remains in effect for the Sheep River basin.

    As of 9 a.m. on June 4, the river had fallen another 0.35 metres and was flowing at 76.89 cubic metres per second. The town said levels were continuing to taper.

    Okotoks remains in Stage 1, or High Stream Advisory, under its Emergency Management Plan. The town’s emergency management team is continuing to monitor river conditions.

    The Sheep River peaked on June 2 at 188.65 cubic metres per second before beginning to decline. Earlier in the week, heavy rain and a special weather statement from Environment Canada had prompted the town to activate Stage 1.

    Residents are being asked to stay away from the river and nearby areas while water remains high and fast-moving. The town says riverbanks may be unstable, and debris can be carried downstream.

    Residents were also reminded to reduce flood risk around their properties by clearing eavestroughs and downspouts, directing water away from foundations, checking sump pumps and backflow valves, and watching for pooling water in low-lying areas.

    Free sandbags are available at the Okotoks Operations Centre parking lot at 1118 N Railway St. The town also directs residents to its flood planning page.

  • Okotoks RCMP urge lawful response after accused man released on conditions

    In a case this serious, staying within the lines matters.

    Okotoks RCMP say they are addressing public concern after Corey Airhart, a local man charged with possessing and accessing child sexual abuse material, was released from custody by the courts following a judicial interim release hearing.

    Police said Airhart’s release includes court-ordered conditions intended to protect community safety.

    Those conditions include:

    • He must stay at least 50 metres away from public swimming areas, schools and school yards, daycares, playgrounds, youth shelters, public libraries, and any place where children under 16 may be present.
    • He must not communicate directly with anyone under 16.
    • He must not possess devices with internet access or cameras.

    RCMP said they understand residents may have strong concerns about the case, but police have received reports of threats and comments suggesting some people may try to act outside the law.

    Police said threats, harassment, intimidation, or vigilante actions are illegal and will be investigated. Residents are being asked to raise concerns through lawful and respectful means.

    Okotoks RCMP said they will continue to monitor the situation.