Okotoks has a new Municipal Historic Resource.

On Monday (Feb 14.), town council voted in favour of naming Stockton Block as Okotoks' fifth Municipal Historic Resource.

The building, located at 14 McRae Street, is named after the town's first mayor Dr. Frederick Stockton.

Since its construction in 1903, it's served several functions, including a doctor's office, a bank, and town hall.

Its new designation grants some provincial protections to the building and qualifies it for certain grants under the Heritage Preservation Partnership Program.

During his presentation to council, culture and heritage team leader Allan Boss said there would be some additional steps if the town wanted to alter certain elements of the building.

"Because it becomes registered with the province, there are steps that would have to take place if the elements of the building that we're designating were to be altered... The recommendation of the province is to always do the least amount of intervention to maintain the heritage status of those elements."

The building's facade and location are key to the heritage designation, but the inside can undergo renovations or alterations without having to follow those steps.