Three longstanding residents of Okotoks were inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their service to the community.
The Okotoks Hall of Fame program recognizes members of the community with outstanding accomplishments in the areas of sport, arts and culture, and community service through either community-building efforts or national and international achievements.
This year, there were three inductees in the community service, community builder category: former Okotoks mayor Bill McAlpine, Paul Rockley and Marg Cox. Football coach John Price also received recognition in the sports category (see his story on page XX).
“The individuals selected each contributed tremendously in their selected categories and are very deserving of this award,” said Mayor Bill Robertson. “The Town of Okotoks is a much better place because they were here and they put their blood and sweat into our town.
“We’re grateful for the time and effort they’ve dedicated to the community and we’re so very proud that they represent Okotoks so very well.”
McAlpine was honoured for his hard work in the community both as mayor and prior to his years with Town council, as a member of the Okotoks Lions and Okotoks Rotary clubs.
He was first elected to council in the 1970s and served two terms before becoming mayor for four terms, from 1998 to 2010.
Robertson said McAlpine was a significant driver in the completion and approval of many capital projects during his tenure as mayor, including the Foothills Community Centre, the Centennial Arena, the Okotoks Recreation Centre expansion, the Rotary Performing Arts Centre, the sustainable Okotoks policy, the Okotoks Museum and Archives, and the Cornerstone shopping area in south Okotoks.
“He was also one of the driving forces behind the capital expansion of the Okotoks Food Bank,” said Robertson. “And Bill successfully lobbied for a second traffic bridge through Okotoks, which has been named McAlpine Crossing in his honour.”
McAlpine was also instrumental in the building of Seaman Stadium, and the press box at the Dawgs’ home has been named after him as well.
Rockley, who was the publisher of the Okotoks Western Wheel for 26 years, was honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It’s very, very special to me,” said Rockley. “It’s not something I would have ever expected to happen to me. I’ve never looked for any kind of recognition like this.”
He said being asked to be parade marshal in 2015 was a huge honour, and he thought it was more than he would have ever expected. To be a permanent part of the Hall of Fame is overwhelming, he said.
Rockley was recognized for his commitment to the community and selfless fundraising and development efforts. He launched the Western Wheel Cares campaign, which has donated thousands of dollars to local charities.
As a member of the Rotary Club for 25 years, he spearheaded a number of events and initiatives, including the former annual rib cook-off, the Okotoks path system project, the soap box derby, and the Leaders of Tomorrow awards.
Rockley also served on the Foothills Community Centre building committee, was one of the first sponsors of the Okotoks Pro Rodeo, and contributed to the Okotoks Food Bank capital expansion.
In 2009, he was the recipient of the Unsung Hero award from the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce.
He said the end result of each undertaking drove him, but most of his motivation came from the people he worked with.
“I got to be involved with a lot of really great people, and I didn’t want to fail,” said Rockley. “The ultimate goal drives you and keeps you going, but mostly the people I worked with – I didn’t want to let them down. I wanted to help make sure we were successful.”
The third inductee was Marg Cox, affectionately known as the Queen of Okotoks.
Cox devoted 28 years to the Town of Okotoks, working as the Town’s community events co-ordinator, and has given more than three decades of service to the community through her volunteer efforts.
She said being added to the Hall of Fame was an incredible and unexpected honour.
“It’s extremely overwhelming,” said Cox. “I’m extremely grateful and just so humbled by this whole recognition. I can’t believe it, actually. I’m just doing stuff, right?”
Cox brought many time-honoured traditions to the Town, including Light Up Okotoks and the annual Okotoks parade. She also worked hard to develop other community events, including Canada Day celebrations, the Okotoks Pro Rodeo, Birth of a Nation Day, Kite Day, and an Old Fashioned Country Fair.
In 1988, she put Okotoks on the map by bringing the Soviet figure skating team to town for two weeks of practice ahead of the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary.
Since retiring in 2012, Cox has also been president of the Foothills Country Hospice Society and was a founding member of the Ladies’ Compassion Cup for Rowan House Emergency Shelter, in addition to supporting many other local charities like KidSport.
She was also the recipient of the Heart of Okotoks Award in 2016, at the Leaders of Tomorrow banquet.
Cox said it’s an honour to be recognized but she credits the community for her achievements over the years.
“It should be a community picture that goes up in the hall, because of all these people who have helped me along the way to just make things happen within our community,” said Cox. “I happen to be the one who gets recognized, but it should be everybody.
“I’m just really proud.”
