Candidates for contested positions for the 2026 elections were offered the opportunity to give the community a brief bio and a short statement about their vision for the future.  Below are the submissions of the two presidential candidates;

Brad Patzer: 
 

Thank you to all that have supported the BCC over the years. The BCC has been and continues to grow and work on providing programs and services to the community.

If you would allow me to continue to help the BCC with this work, I would be honoured to serve as President of the BCC for another term.

 

Bill Hurtig:

​

​

​​​​​​​​​​​​Bill has been a resident of Victoria Beach for 25 years.  For the past 14 years, since retirement, he has been a permanent resident.

Bill holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario.  He worked for the federal government for 28 years in progressively senior management positions.  He worked for Transport Canada, Western Diversification, Treasury Board of the Province of Manitoba, and Agriculture Canada, retiring as Director of Planning and Coordination.

Bill joined the Beaches Community Centre Board of Directors four years ago, with the stated priority of starting a capital campaign to bring fitness facilities to the VB area.  The results of the ensuing capital campaign were stunning.  The team chaired by Bill raised substantial funds from the community and was able to secure two matching government grants.  

As a result the hockey rink was paved, with 6 pickleball courts and a basketball court. Thanks to a strong volunteer group, the quality of the rink’s ice surface in the winter was vastly improved.  A fitness facility has been established in partnership with the Social Scene, with close to $100,000 of brand new fitness equipment available to the community.

At this stage, Bill is prepared to be fully dedicated to the BCC.  He has the time, energy, and skillset to lead a growing, progressive organization, building on the progress that has been achieved over the past 4 years.  

If elected as President, Bill’s priorities will be:

• to pay off outstanding debt (mortgage and sign) within 2 years, subject to Board and membership agreement;

• To implement the BCC Strategic Plan, which contains 5 key strategic priorities, to be revealed at the May 2026 Annual General Meeting 

• To describe and staff a full-time Club Manager position, so the facility can be more fully utilized by the community;

• To undertake a study to determine the feasibility of expanding with a multi-purpose addition that would include an expanded fitness facility, a gym that would enable year round pickleball, basketball, volleyball, fitness classes, and similar activities.  The expansion could also be used as a larger banquet hall.

• Support the initiative of adding a Terrain Park

• To complete the migration of financial  systems to enable improved financial management and reporting, and

• To consult regularly with the membership regarding priorities and opportunities that our community wants.