Residents & businesses invited to complete the 2022 Budget Survey

What kind of community do you want Okotoks to be? What should Council consider in budget deliberations to achieve your vision?

The Town is asking these questions and more through an online survey, available until June 20. The information shared through this survey will help Council build the 2022 budget, based on what the community values the most. Taking the time to complete this survey has never been more important, as this will be the first budget approved by the new Council elected in October.

We can only build the budget based upon the input you provide, so please take this opportunity to do so. The survey results will be published in a What We Heard Report in early July.

Take the survey

Museum re-opens with two exhibits honouring indigenous history

With the easing of provincial restrictions, the Okotoks Museum has reopened with two exhibits that honour indigenous history.

“A Century of Blackfoot Women’s Styles”
Curated by Alyssa Koski of Okotoks, this exhibit features a century of traditional clothing [1840-1940] worn and/or collected by Alyssa’s grandmother Pauline Dempsey who is a member of the Blackfoot Nation. A special presentation is planned for Monday, June 21 during National Indigenous People’s Day.

Little Moccasins
This 2014 documentary film shares the story of St. Joseph’s Residential School, also known as Dunbow Industrial School northeast of Okotoks. Some of the shoes from the memorial for the 215 children found buried at Kamloops residential school are included in the exhibit.
 

Details & museum hours

COVID-19 update: projected re-opening of recreation facilities

As part of Stage 2 of the province’s Open for Summer strategy, and in alignment with public health orders, the Town is preparing for a phased re-opening of our indoor recreation facilities. These re-opening plans are subject to the province moving forward with stages 2 and 3 of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan, and will need to comply with current public health guidelines at that time. The Okotoks Recreation Centre has re-opened to the public with a staged re-opening, and is subject to meeting the stages of Alberta’s Open for Summer Plan.

Find re-opening details

Spray park is OPEN!

The spray park is OPEN! It will continue to operate during regular hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on days above 20 degrees. The Town asks residents to limit their visits to the spray park to one hour to provide more residents with an opportunity to enjoy the park. To ensure the spray park remains open, all visitors must adhere to Alberta Health Guidelines for gatherings, and a minimum of two metres between other households must be followed.

Full details

Reverse Parade is happening June 19!

Saturday, June 19 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Town is gradually getting back to hosting events, beginning with a reverse parade on June 19. Residents are invited to tour around Okotoks and take in all the beautiful floats at participating Okotoks businesses and organizations. Decorate your own vehicle and even dress up in a costume!

More info & registration form

Important river safety reminder

The Sheep River current is running fast and the water is very cold, which presents a real danger to those trying to cool off in the hotter days of June.

Okotoks Fire Department responded to a river rescue last week where a teenager, looking for relief from the heat, was floating on a tube and found herself stranded and unable to make it across the river to safety. Thankfully she was rescued by the Okotoks Fire Department.
River conditions are unpredictable and dangerous situations can happen very quickly. Please take the time to watch the video below for reminders on how to be safe around the river any time of year.

Watch the video

Outdoor watering schedule in effect

The Town of Okotoks’ outdoor watering schedule is in effect annually from May 1 - October 31.

SPRINKLERS & KIDDIE POOLS
When no watering restrictions are in place, feel free to fill kiddie pools and run sprinklers for the kids! While using sprinklers is permitted, filling a kiddie pool is a better way to conserve water and still let your kids have fun. Turn hoses off once pools are filled and, if using sprinklers, parents are asked to please supervise and limit the time of use to less than 30 minutes, as we don’t want the water to be continually running.
 

More info

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Grow the conversation

Elder abuse thrives in isolation. In this time of physical distancing, let’s check in with one another and not allow elder abuse to go on unchecked.

With 8.9% of seniors in Alberta experiencing elder abuse, you can support older adults in the community by growing the conversation on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15 and bringing elder abuse out of the shadows. Plant purple flower seeds, buy a purple plant and gift it to a senior, or call or write a letter to let a senior know you are available to talk and that you care about their well-being.

Take action

Okotoks is neighbourly!

The third Friday of every month is Kindness Day, a chance to spread kindness and recognize the caring acts that are strengthening Okotoks! On June 18, Town staff in #OkotoksStrongerTogether t-shirts will be out and about town spreading neighbourly kindness – they’ll have a spinning wheel for you to spin to win prizes! Keep an eye out for them downtown, at the spray park and in Okotoks' parks.

As always on Kindness Day, if you’ve signed up to be a Community Champion or to Gift It Forward to someone deserving, the Town will drop your free gift bags or fun-filled toolkit at your door.

Sign up & spread kindness

Property Taxes due June 30, 2021

2021 Town Tax Notices were mailed the week of May 25, 2021 and all assessed property owners are deemed to have received their Tax Notice.

Ways to pay your property taxes:

1. TIPP (Tax Installment Payment Plan)
2. By mail: PO Box 20 Station Main, Okotoks AB, T1S 1K1
3. 24-hour drop-off at the Municipal Centre, 5 Elizabeth Street
4. In person at the Municipal Centre, 5 Elizabeth Street
5. Local banks, credit unions or any TD Canada Trust
6. Online

Full details

Slow down and be road wise! Watch out for pedestrians and bicycles!

When warmer weather arrives, drivers will find they are sharing the road with more pedestrians and bicycles, which are vulnerable road users. A greater level of vigilance and care is required by drivers to reduce injury or death that may occur during a collision.

• Motorists should be careful when approaching intersections. Watch for cars slowing in the lane next to yours because other drivers may be yielding to a pedestrian.
• Both pedestrians and motorists are responsible to abide by all signs, signals, and traffic laws.
• Pedestrians should cross the road at designated crosswalks, make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street and be aware of any challenging road conditions that motorists may be experiencing.

Learn about traffic safety

Watch for European Elm Scale

European elm scale is an introduced soft scale insect that attacks American elm as well as hackberry. It is usually noticed when the honeydew produced by female scales begins to grow black sooty mold on tree trunks, branches and outdoor amenities.

European elm scale produces one generation per year. In late May/early June, mature scale can be identified on branches and tree forks. They are up to 10mm long, oval and gray-brown in color with a white waxy fringe. The feeding of European elm scale can cause stunted foliage, premature leaf drop and branch dieback.

More info & how to control

Enjoying the re-opened Pason Walking Track

It was a great day for Stage 2 Opening at Pason Centennial Arena - between 7-8 a.m., the Pason Walking Track welcomed 25+ early risers! A few stopped for a picture and look forward to taking the next one without a mask; they were happy to comply with all the current restrictions, while hopeful for the day when there will be none…other than kindness & courtesy! The current Walking Track hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Next Council Meeting

3 p.m. Monday, June 14| Live-streamed

Agenda packages are available Thursday evenings prior to each meeting on the Town website.

Watch the live stream