Over the past number of years many young people have being turned away from programs due to a lack pool space, thus limiting not only the growth of swimming & aquatics in our area, but also the potential of eliminating future stars who are not able to participate in sport.

Aquatics and swimming in particular have shown to have many physical and social benefits:
Physically Benefits:
-Low Injury Rate
-High Quality Aerobic Development
-Thorough Muscular Development
-Flexibility
-Coordination Development
-Life Long Fitness
-Cultivates Positive Self-Esteem

Social Development Benefits:
-Promotes Gender Equality
-Encourages Larger Social Circle of Development
-Top Academic Achieving Sport (swimming)
-Life Skills Development
-Sportsmanship

More than ever the Town of Okotoks needs to build a larger competition pool. In 2006 the Town completed renovations to the Okotoks Recreation Centre and at that time they added a new pool that was too small long before the planning stages. Many people from various aquatics groups attended the planning meetings of the 2006 renovations and expressed to the Town that at 25 meter, 6 lane pool would not be big enough to meet the demands of our growing community. Now we have the opportunity again and we need your help. The Foothills Stingrays Swim Club alone turns away approximately 50 swimmers each year due to space restrictions. The small pool’s problems not only restricts clubs from growing; it also restricts revenue for both the town and the clubs. A larger pool would allow the aquatics groups to host competitions on national levels, but most importantly, it would allow for our youth to be involved in a wider variety of sports, such as competitive swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and maybe even diving.

Okotoks is the 2nd youngest town in Canada and we believe it is crucial to offer as many options for our youth as possible, especially in the area of sports.

If you are a resident within the MD of Foothills please help us impress upon the Town of Okotoks council that a 10 lane 50 meter competitive pool is very important for positive growth of your town by signing this petition.