Museum exhibit looks at Okotoks’ sporting history

The Okotoks Museum and Archives has unveiled a sports-themed exhibit just in time for the community to host the 2023 Alberta Summer Games. 

'The Games We Play – A History of Sport in Okotoks' opened July 8 and will run through to Dec. 22. 

Opening of the exhibit coincides with the Summer Games, which will be co-hosted by Okotoks and Diamond Valley from July 20 to 23. 

Sports have always played an integral part in the town’s history, so as we get set to cheer on current athletes at the Games, the exhibit allows the community to reflect on past athletes and the games they played. 

Kathy Coutts, Okotoks Museum and Archives specialist, already has a connection to the Summer Games. 

“I was one of the many volunteers involved in the 2004 Alberta Summer Games when it was co-hosted by Okotoks, High River and MD of Foothills,” said Coutts. “I was involved in the culture and baseball components.” 

She remembers the influx of people that visited the town during the Games, which provided a boost to the local economy.  

She was also volunteering at the Okotoks Museum at the time and one of the projects involved working with the Museum of the Highwood and Alberta Sports Hall of Fame to develop an exhibit that was displayed in all three facilities. 

“It showcased the history of sport in our communities,” she said. “I was thrilled to be involved. It was an opportunity to help showcase our community to the rest of the province and to work together with many other volunteers.” 

Almost two decades later, the museum is once again shining a light on Okotoks’ proud sports history. 

The museum, housed in a century-old house on North Railway Street, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday.