Each week during the summer, we’re featuring one of our recipients from the 2024 Curl BC Annual Awards so we can learn more about our well-deserved award winners!

This week we say hi to the 2024 Ron Houston Administrator of the Year recipient, Susan Johnson (Campbell River).

Q1: Where and when did you start curling?
A1: My first time Curling was in 2009, two years after taking on the General Manager role of the Campbell River Curling Club. My business experience didn’t include curling knowledge but with my passion for most sports, the Board of the Directors felt someone who came in with a strong sense of business and making it viable could outweigh that they weren’t a curler. It was time for our club to think outside the box and really tap into our great bar and banquet hall to add to our bottom line to keep our doors open. We are a curling club first and foremost and doing what we can to build up our membership was key but it was also important to utilize our facility to its potential. With that all said within 2-3 years I was hooked and curling 2-3times a week.

Q2: How did you get involved in curling?
A2: I got involved at the CRCC by knowing some of the members and them asking me to apply for the position of Club Manager/Administrator as well as the Bar Manager. The club had decided to combine the role and I jumped in and didn’t look back, it was a leap of faith for both parties.

Q3: What does it mean for you to win Ron Houston’s Curl BC’s Club Administrator of the Year Award?
A3: Winning this award means a great deal to me. To be recognized at this level makes me extremely proud that my Club nominated me and appreciate my 17 years of dedication. It was a honour and I’m grateful for the recognition.

Q4: Do you have a favourite curling memory or two?
A4: Some of my favourite curling memories are when I decided to chair the Men’s Open for many years. We hosted 36 teams on four sheets for a couple years and held strong with 32 for most years. With local  sponsors and donations we had a prize tables valued at over $25,000.00! Those bonspiel weekends were full of great curling with participants coming from all over Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland. Another amazing memory is the year 10 of our members beat the Guinness World record for the longest curling game in the world in October 2012!

Q5: What do you consider your biggest curling accomplishment? (either as an athlete, coach, official…etc).
A5: Biggest Accomplishment would have to be that I Managed our Club for 17 years thus far. In that time making it successful with increased membership, revenue generation and providing a positive experience for all members/guests  walking through the door.

Q6: What’s different about the Campbell River Curling Club unique?
A6: The Campbell River Curling Club is unique in many ways. The biggest would be that we have created a positive environment and an atmosphere of belonging.  We have often spoken as it’s our second home and a strong sense of family.

I grew up in the hospitality industry in Port Hardy, where my parents owned their own hotels and restaurants so I am forever grateful that they instilled a strong work ethic to their children. My parents curled and in my office hangs my late Dads lifetime membership of the Fort Rupert Curling Club. So with that said I guess it was all meant to be.