Seriously considering moving to and buying a house in Okotoks... advice wanted.

[Rerun]

I currently live in Calgary and I'm just tired of all the noise and hussle and bussle. Looking for a little quieter life in Okotoks. Looking at putting in an offer for a house in the Sheep River Heights area of Okotoks.

Anybody here live in Okotoks? Do you like it? Hate it? Why?

I've heard that Okotoks can be kind of anal about by-laws.... like lots of them and lots of them prevent the home owner from doing things to their property.

In Okotoks, are you allowed to have a backyard fire pit? What about garbage pick up? Any rules and regs about that and other stuff?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by fotze

Okotoks bylaws do not allow anal?

From what I've heard... I wouldn't be surprised..

[Boblobla]

That sucks.

[ken0042]

Friends of mine who live in Okotoks have a fire pit. Not sure if they are allowed to have it or not; but they do.

I don't know if I'm comfortable asking them about the anal thing.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Friends of mine who live in Okotoks have a fire pit. Not sure if they are allowed to have it or not; but they do.

I don't know if I'm comfortable asking them about the anal thing.

Its not that difficult... you just kind of sneak up on the topic and then just slide into it...

[Rhettzky]

My buddy just moved his family out there and they couldn't find a family doctor. So that could be a big deal depending on if that's important for you or not.

Plus in late August that place is over-run by drunken softball teams for a whole weekend. It's bad... guys sleeping in creeks, falling face first in the dirt, sitting in spilt drinks, complaining about pre-ripped designer jeans... it's ugly.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I currently live in Calgary and I'm just tired of all the noise and hussle and bussle. Looking for a little quieter life in Okotoks. Looking at putting in an offer for a house in the Sheep River Heights area of Okotoks.

Anybody here live in Okotoks? Do you like it? Hate it? Why?

I've heard that Okotoks can be kind of anal about by-laws.... like lots of them and lots of them prevent the home owner from doing things to their property.

In Okotoks, are you allowed to have a backyard fire pit? What about garbage pick up? Any rules and regs about that and other stuff?

They have allowed 3 bags of garbage for pick up per week. That will be reduced to 2 bags of garbage per week. They have a large recycling center right in town, east end of Elizabeth street. As far as other bylaws, I am not sure.

In terms of schooling, the public portion is part of the Foothills School Division. They have a couple of K to 9 configurations, from what I have heard, quite crowded at the present time. One of the older schools is getting a major reno and most of it is closed down, thus, those students are crowded into other existing schools. That will not be long term however. The Foothills Composite Highschool is located right in Okotoks and the Alberta School of Fine Arts is housed right within that school.....so students can earn a regular diploma as well as get fine arts training. Students can go to one or the other or both. The fine arts is multifaceted, not just your regular music and dance. There is also a Baccalaureate program and a very good trade component in the school, special needs students are there as well.

There is a Catholic school board, it goes from K to 12, have schools for K to 9 as well as Holy Trinity Highschool.

There is also a French Immersion program, the first students from that program are entering highschool now.

Pretty well all the major box stores are there now, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Walmart, Zellers, a Costco will be forth coming, Safeway, Sobey's, and an economy food store, I believe a side kick of Superstore. Of course, all the fast food joints, car dealerships, lots of services that way. More than one banking alternative, same with dentists and doctor's offices, many denominations of churches, a small downtown with a variety of restaurants and other stores and services.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

My buddy just moved his family out there and they couldn't find a family doctor. So that could be a big deal depending on if that's important for you or not.

Plus in late August that place is over-run by drunken softball teams for a whole weekend. It's bad... guys sleeping in creeks, falling face first in the dirt, sitting in spilt drinks, complaining about pre-ripped designer jeans... it's ugly.

That problem is pretty well prevalent in most parts of Canada. They have medical and dental services, if they are taking new clients is another question. Nearest hospitals would be in High River or Black Diamond.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by redforever

Nearest hospitals would be in High River or Black Diamond.

Then in 2 years the new hospital south of Copperfield will also be open. Not too far- I say that because I sometimes go to Okotoks for some things. (Home Hardware being the main reason.)

[Rerun]

Whats the water quality like? Better or worse than Calgary?
I've heard that they are pretty restrictive on when you can water your lawn. I remember last year when we had a bit of a drought, I think I heard that Okotoks residents were not allowed to water theirs at all. Okotoks gets its water from the Sheep River?

[redforever]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Then in 2 years the new hospital south of Copperfield will also be open. Not too far- I say that because I sometimes go to Okotoks for some things. (Home Hardware being the main reason.)

And actually, it is a very direct and fast route to the Rockyview as well.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Then in 2 years the new hospital south of Copperfield will also be open. Not too far- I say that because I sometimes go to Okotoks for some things. (Home Hardware being the main reason.)

My wife loves Home hardware! She's always buying those gadgets they advertise on tv.

I also hear they have a Walmart Superstore. She'll love that. She always wants to go into the one in Airdrie when we are up in that end of the woods.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Rerun

Whats the water quality like? Better or worse than Calgary?
I've heard that they are pretty restrictive on when you can water your lawn. I remember last year when we had a bit of a drought, I think I heard that Okotoks residents were not allowed to water theirs at all. Okotoks gets its water from the Sheep River?

Water regulations will be going in effect either May 1 or June 1. That will detail on what days you can water and what hours. I believe they have water regulations like that every year.

They have had past problems with drinking water, but usually only in spring when high run off or flooding has been the culprit. I know that during the big floods in June of 2005, they had water boiling advisories as did other towns of similar size, like Cochrane. I believe they are expanding their water treatment facilities or already have done so.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by redforever

Water regulations will be going in effect either May 1 or June 1. That will detail on what days you can water and what hours. I believe they have water regulations like that every year.

They have had past problems with drinking water, but usually only in spring when high run off or flooding has been the culprit. I know that during the big floods in June of 2005, they had water boiling advisories as did other towns of similar size, like Cochrane. I believe they are expanding their water treatment facilities or already have done so.

Sounds like a water cooler might be a good thing to buy.

[Resolute 14]

I'm somewhat surprised Okotoks doesn't piggyback off Calgary's system like Airdrie does. I may be misremembering, but I believe Okotoks' growth is limited by the water system... i.e.: the town isn't likely to grow past 15,000 people or so.

Okotoks does have a Junior A hockey team, unfortunately named the Oilers, and a college ball team that is a lot of fun to watch, so +1 there.

[Wookie]

Any cases of swine flu in Okotoks?

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'm somewhat surprised Okotoks doesn't piggyback off Calgary's system like Airdrie does. I may be misremembering, but I believe Okotoks' growth is limited by the water system... i.e.: the town isn't likely to grow past 15,000 people or so.

Okotoks does have a Junior A hockey team, unfortunately named the Oilers, and a college ball team that is a lot of fun to watch, so +1 there.

I think I read somewhere that Okotoks current population is about 20,000. I've also heard they have a population cap in place (probably because of the limited capacity of water and sewage facilities, I would guess). I don't know what the cap is though.


They have a college ball team? What college? I didn't realize that colleges played ball. I assume its baseball.
Hmmmm... I'll have to check that out. What else do people do for excitement in Okotoks during the summer?

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I think I read somewhere that Okotoks current population is about 20,000. I've also heard they have a population cap in place (probably because of the limited capacity of water and sewage facilities, I would guess). I don't know what the cap is though.


They have a college ball team? What college? I didn't realize that colleges played ball. I assume its baseball.
Hmmmm... I'll have to check that out. What else do people do for excitement in Okotoks during the summer?

Go to Calgary

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Rerun

I think I read somewhere that Okotoks current population is about 20,000. I've also heard they have a population cap in place (probably because of the limited capacity of water and sewage facilities, I would guess). I don't know what the cap is though.


They have a college ball team? What college? I didn't realize that colleges played ball. I assume its baseball.
Hmmmm... I'll have to check that out. What else do people do for excitement in Okotoks during the summer?

They are indeed over 20,000 right now. They were one of the fastest growing communities in Canada at one time, along with Airdre and Cochrane. Their population at present is capped at 30,000. But at the present time, serious consideration is being given to relax that......there is talk of a plebiscite for a final decision regarding that matter.

No, they did not cap it only because of water and sewage limitations. The thinking originally was to keep it a small town atmosphere. But then if you keep it very small town, you also limit services that will come and set up shop. Many people in Okotoks now are of the mindset they would prefer to do most of their shopping in the town, rather than running back to Calgary.

They also did have a commuter bus system that took people who worked in Calgary to the south end of the city, where they could catch other travel alternatives. I am not sure if that is in existence at the present time, if not, I know there has been talk of getting it back.

Water for the most part is very safe to drink, except of course, under certain circumstances beyond their control. I don't think there is anymore of a need for water coolers in Okotoks than there is in Calgary, some people just think it is a superior alternative.

[redforever]

Hockey

Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League
Okotoks Bisons of the Heritage Junior B Hockey League
The Oilers minor hockey team

Football

Okotoks Eagles [Tier 3]
Foothills Falcons Atom
Foothills Falcons Peewee
Foothills Falcons Bantam [Tier 1] [Tier 2 Cities and Provincial Champions]
Foothills Composite Falcons [Tier 2]

Baseball

The Okotoks Dawgs began play in the Western Major Baseball League in 2007.

Swimming

Okotoks Stingrays swim club

Lacrosse

Okotoks Ice - Tier II
Okotoks Icemen - Tier III

Golf courses

The D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course
The River's Edge Golf Course is an 18-hole, grass-green course on the banks of the Sheep River 5 km east of Okotoks.
The Crystal Ridge Golf Club opened on August 8, 2004. The 9-hole, 3125-yard, par 35 track features water and rock work on every hole, with many mature trees, berms, sand traps, and large undulating greens. Each hole features a minimum of five tee boxes.

BMX bike track

The town has its own BMX bike track maintained by local volunteers.

Indoor recreation facilities

Okotoks Recreation Centre
Swindell's Swimming Pool
Murray Arena
Piper Arena
Shane Homes Gymnasium
Okotoks Curling Rink
Centennial Arena

Outdoor recreation facilities

Skateboard Park
Kinsmen Outdoor Skating Arena
Various outdoor ball diamonds, soccer fields and tennis courts

Camping

Okotoks Lions Sheep River Campground
Country Lane RV Park
Okotoks Wilderness Campgrounds
Riverbend Campground

Fishing

The Sheep River offers some excellent opportunities for fly fishing.

Gymns

There is at least one gymn where you can work out, possibly two, not sure if the second is still open.

Okotoks also has its own airport. A number of small air shows have been held there over the years, not sure if that still is the case. It was the home of an aircraft charter company, flight school, and a helicopter flying school. The site has now evolved into an airpark community called the Okotoks Air Ranch, where the property owners, if they wish, can build homes with attached hangars for their private planes. This has brought complaints from those living close to the Air Ranch, noise being the primary problem.