OkotoksOnline/Harrison O'Nyons
Local school divisions recently wrote to the Town of Okotoks to voice concerns over a local roadway.
A joint letter from the board chairs of the Foothills School Division (FSD) and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools (CTR) highlights concerns around 32nd Street East, specifically near Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) and Meadow Ridge School.
"The volume of student and commuter traffic, combined with limited roadway infrastructure, has created significant delays and safety risks," the letter states. These concerns are especially pronounced during school start and dismissal times.
The letter also points to upcoming developments in the area, including the Okotoks Pickleball & Tennis Centre, which is currently under construction and expected to open in 2026. With the facility being built next to Meadow Ridge School, the divisions say traffic congestion will likely worsen.
Another issue raised is the road between HTA and St. James Parish, which currently functions as a bus loop and pedestrian zone, primarily serving students, staff and churchgoers.
“As residential development to the east of 32nd Street continues, there appears to be increased interest in formalizing this space as a traffic route to accommodate new subdivisions,” the letter reads. “We believe this poses a direct risk to student safety, creates bus route challenges and contributes to overall transportation congestion.”
The divisions ask that the Town review traffic planning for 32nd Street East, work to mitigate congestion as the area develops, and preserve the pedestrian and bus zone by HTA.
The Ridgemont Neighbourhood Area Structure Plan (NASP) indicates that the school and church access road is intended to be converted to a public street, with consultation required between the Town, the church, and HTA.
“The ultimate section for the new public roadway is still being determined through discussions with the Town and stakeholders,” the NASP states. It also notes that the NASP would need to be amended if the road does not become a public street.
The letter was included on Okotoks Town Council's May 26 meeting agenda and was briefly discussed at the meeting.
Jeff Greene, the town’s director of community growth and identity, reiterated that consultation with landowners is a requirement under the NASP before any development can proceed.
He also noted that input from the school divisions will help guide updates to the town’s Transportation Master Plan and future design work for 32nd Street and 338th Avenue.
"Lots of dialogue has to continue to take place in order to coordinate all the different players and make sure that we're attending to this roadway design, not just for the short term, but for the long term as well," Greene said.