Esterhazy mayor Randy Bot looks back on 2025 and forward to goals for 2026
January 5, 2026, 10:35 am
Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Esterhazy mayor Randy Bot talked about what kind of year it has been for the town of Esterhazy in 2025, and what he things 2026 holds.
What were some of the main projects the municipality worked on or completed this past year?
This was a big year in building our new Regional Water Treatment Plant, with all mechanical processing equipment installed and external tanks constructed. The schedule and plan is for the new system to be flowing into our lines by fall 2026. This project has been a long wait for our community, and seeing this progress is exciting.
Another major achievement in 2025 was the successful installation of all new water meters in residential and commercial properties. Our previous meters dated back to 1964, making this upgrade long overdue. This was a large undertaking but was handled very efficiently within our municipality.
Our Recreation Department continues to be one of the hubs of our community. This past summer we had one of the highest numbers of residents registered for swimming lessons, and our summer programs were full every session. Engaging youth with employment and programming here in Esterhazy helps keep our community spirit strong.
Other highlights included:
• Landfill Upgrades: Improved compliance, new operating plans.
• Healthcare Advocacy & Recruitment: Ongoing work toward the new integrated healthcare facility, doctor recruitment, lobbying SHA plus Ministry, and strengthening the partnership with the St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation.
• Economic Development: Early steps toward the creation of a more formalized Economic Development Committee, Main Street improvements, and business attraction work.
What were some of the big challenges in 2025?
2025 wasn’t without challenges. The biggest ones included:
• Healthcare Staffing and Local Service Pressures: Navigating doctor shortages and gaps in rural health service delivery.
• Aging Infrastructure: Water, sewer, roads, and facility upgrades.
• Economic Pressures: Inflation driving up municipal project costs.
• Balancing Expectations: Ratepayers want improvements, but they also want affordability—finding the balance is always a challenge.
What were you most proud of this year?
A few things stand out. One is the unified regional approach to healthcare and the compelling case built for a new integrated facility.
We have also been building relationships with partners like Mosaic, Emmanuel Health, local RMs, and community organizations.
There has been a lot of community engagement, whether it was the Friends and Fairways tournament, recreation events, or public meetings.
I’m happy about seeing tangible progress, especially on long-term projects like the water treatment plant and infrastructure.
What are some of the most common things you hear from your ratepayers?
Ratepayers are pretty consistent. Most common themes are:
• Roads, roads, roads. Condition, maintenance, gravel, dust, and priorities.
• Healthcare and doctor availability. People want to know what’s happening and when improvements are coming.
• Cost of living and taxes. Understandably, people are looking for value and want transparency.
• General pride and concern. Residents love Esterhazy and want to see it grow, modernize, and stay safe.
What do you want to work on in 2026?
2026 needs to be a year of action and continued momentum. My top focuses are securing commitments for the new healthcare facility (funding, land, timelines), continuing to push the Regional Water Treatment Plant, road improvements and drainage planning—especially long-term asset management—and municipal operational reviews to improve efficiency and service delivery.
What do you find most challenging about being a mayor?
The hardest part is the weight of responsibility. Every decision impacts families, businesses, and the long-term health of our town. It can be tough balancing what people want today with what the town needs for the next 40 years.
Other challenges include addressing concerns from residents who may not have all the background information, making decisions that aren’t always popular, but are in the best long-term interest of the community, and of course, managing time—between work, mayoral duties, committees, and family.
What do you find most rewarding about being a mayor?
Without question it is seeing projects move from ideas to reality.
I love helping people, whether it’s a small issue or a big community-level concern.
I also enjoy building partnerships that make our town stronger, and watching our youth succeed in sports, school, events, and leadership.
And the biggest reward: being trusted by the community to represent them.
What are the long-term goals of the town?
Long-term, Esterhazy is focused on:
• Modern, sustainable infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, recreation).
• A new integrated healthcare facility serving the region.
• Economic diversification—more businesses, stronger industry partnerships, stable growth.
• Population growth, especially targeting young families and professionals.
• Safe and vibrant neighbourhoods, including housing development and community amenities.
• Strong regional collaboration with surrounding RMs and communities.
• Seniors, especially regarding transportation to appointments.
What do you personally want to see accomplished by the next municipal election?
By the time we reach the next election, I want to see shovels in the ground or firm funding commitment for the new healthcare facility.
I’d like to see our regional Water Treatment Plant fully operational.
I’d also like to see a revitalized Main Street plan in motion, with improved aesthetics and business attraction outcomes, road planning completed with a long-term strategy that outlives this term of council, and a stronger, more engaged community that feels connected, informed, and proud of our direction.
