Wasaga Beach Celebrates Three Community Leaders with Legacy Banner and Senior of the Year Honours

WASAGA BEACH, ON — The Town of Wasaga Beach is recognizing three outstanding residents whose achievements, leadership, and service continue to make a difference in the community and beyond.

Leading this year's civic honours is Vicki Bendus, who will receive a Legacy Banner, becoming just the second person in Wasaga Beach history to earn the distinction and the first woman to be recognized through the program.

A proud graduate of the Wasaga Stars minor hockey program, Bendus has built an extraordinary career in hockey as both an athlete and coach. She is one of only a select few Canadians to win gold with Canada's National Women's Hockey Team as both a player and a coach and was awarded the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in NCAA Division I women's hockey.

Among her many accomplishments, Bendus' stick and gloves are displayed in the Hockey Hall of Fame following her historic performance in the 2010 NCAA Women's Championship game. Most recently, she won a silver medal as Strength and Conditioning Coach for Canada's Women's Olympic Hockey Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics and completed an outstanding season with the Montreal Victoire of the Professional Women's Hockey League.

Residents can celebrate Bendus’ remarkable achievements at a special Legacy Banner Ceremony on July 1. The free community event will take place at Wasaga Stars Arena, 544 River Road West.

1:00–1:30 p.m. – Informal Meet & Greet
1:30–2:00 p.m. – Legacy Banner Ceremony
2:00–2:50 p.m. – Skills & Drills (Ages 11–13, girls and boys, registration is required)
3:00–3:50 p.m. – Family Stick & Puck (Drop-In)

Senior of the Year Recipients Recognized for Outstanding Community Service

Council is also honouring Scott Pritchard and Debbie Grant as Senior of the Year recipients, recognizing their outstanding volunteerism, leadership and lasting contributions to the Wasaga Beach community.

Scott Pritchard
Pritchard is being recognized for his exceptional volunteer service with the Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food Bank. During a critical period for the organization, he dedicated more than 100 hours per week over six months to modernizing operations, strengthening volunteer support and helping stabilize services relied upon by thousands of residents. He also helped ensure hundreds of Christmas hampers reached local families experiencing food insecurity during the holiday season.

Debbie Grant
Grant is being recognized for her long-standing dedication to community service. A former Chair of the Wasaga Beach Public Library Board, she played a key role in shaping library services and advancing access to learning and community programming. She continues to give back through volunteer work with the Georgian Good Food Box program and the Wasaga Beach Horticultural Society.

Together, this year’s honourees demonstrate the spirit of service, excellence and community pride that helps make Wasaga Beach a remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.

-30-

Karla Findlay
Special Projects Leader
Email Karla

Sandra Watts
General Manager of External Relations | Director of Communications, Destination Marketing & Intergovernmental Affairs
Email Sandra