Okotoks

The pool at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex (BSRC) will be closed longer than expected.  

The old leisure basin will close on Oct. 3, with the new basin opening mid-January 2026.  

During the closure, work will be combined, including completing ventilation upgrades to avoid additional disruptions.  

Fall aquatics registration will open on Aug. 25 at noon.   

Diamond Valley’s Dr. Lander Memorial Pool is about to get a new look.  

In July, the town called on local artists to submit proposal applications to create a brand-new mural at the pool entrance.  

The project has been awarded to local artist Jasmine Randle.  

She has extensive painting experience, with past work with the Oilfields High School students and local businesses.  

There’s an upcoming road closure on Banister Gate Road in Okotoks for construction.   

Banister Gate Road will be closed from Northridge Drive to Banister Drive starting tomorrow (Aug. 23).  

The work includes adding a new lift of asphalt, reconfiguring the road surface, and painting traffic lines.  

High River’s fieldhouse, walking track, and small arena at the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex (BSRC) will be closed to facilitate work on the expansion project.  

The facilities will be closed from Aug. 25 until Aug. 29 at 5 p.m.  

The work includes electrical upgrades in the fieldhouse and installing equipment in the small arena, which will service the expanded pool space.   

Those driving through Nanton will have to slow down, starting next week.

School zone signs will be installed on Highway 2 southbound on Monday, Aug. 25.

The signs will be installed in the Bomber Command Museum area, from approximately 16 St. to 18 St., and the United Church area, approximately from 20 St. to 22 St.

Once the signs are in place, those areas will become a 30 km/hr school zone.

This speed limit change is part of the school decanting process and is intended to keep students safe.

Both sunshine and fun are taking over the Foothills this weekend.

Let's see what's happening in the Foothills this weekend:

Friday, August 22:

At this week's Nature Fridays event at the Environmental Education Centre in Okotoks, youth will learn about Tee-Rific Upcycle from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At this event, they are helping to give old t-shirts a new life.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Thursday her government's sudden shift in COVID-19 vaccination policy was prompted by union demands. 

Earlier this week, her health ministry said COVID-19 vaccine coverage would be extended to all health-care workers this fall under the first phase of the province’s rollout.

That came two months after the government said most Albertans, including health workers, would have to pay for a COVID-19 shot — potentially a cost of $110.

When it comes to restoring our canola trade with China, the Canadian canola industry wants to see action and engagement from all levels of government with everyone working together to protect our market share.

Premier Scott Moe along with his Agriculture Minister Darryl Harrison and Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding met with federal/provincial canola groups, as well as exporters, canola crush and value-added companies.

The Crown will not appeal the acquittals of five former world junior hockey players after their high-profile sexual assault trial, one of the defence lawyers in the case said Thursday.

Daniel Brown, who represented Alex Formenton, said he has been informed of the prosecutors' decision. The Ministry of the Attorney General did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Formenton, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote were all acquitted of sexual assault, and McLeod of a separate charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

Air Canada says it expects to be operating close to its full network schedule by Friday. 

The airline says it is continuing to ramp up its operations in a press release Thursday. 

This comes after the airline reached a tentative deal with the union representing its flight attendants on Tuesday to end a strike that began on Saturday. 

The strike disrupted the airline's operations, resulting in the cancellation of flights. 

Mark Nasr, Air Canada's chief operations officer, said in the release that the airline is restoring operations ahead of its plan.