Last year when Joyce Kuzyk was presented with the 2011 Janette Robbins Award, the Sport BC Presidents’ Award was also given. This award from Sport BC recognized 44 volunteers from all different sports in 22 communities in BC. It honours the commitment and spirit of volunteerism given by an individual over many years.

Kuzyk says “I have been involved with the club since 1970 and still am curling.”

“The ceremony was held in Richmond on March 8th but I received the award at the Oliver Curling Club AGM on May 8/2012.”

The presentation is done one year after the winner is announced.

Congratulations to Joyce .

Joyce was president of the Oliver Curling Club from 1993 to 1998, then again from 2002 to 2010. During her presidency, the Oliver club applied for a grant in 1993 which would see the club receive a geothermal system. Then in 2003, the club was able to secure a federal / provincial infrastructure grant in order to put in new cement curling sheets which meant the only Olympic-size club in the Okanagan Valley. At this time, the club didn’t have enough money to complete the job so Joyce and her executive were able to sell $27,000 worth of debentures to the club’s members. And, due to fiscal management all of these debentures were paid off within 5 years.

In order to save the club even more money, she helped paint the lockers, bathrooms and the boards in the ice area when the construction was being done.

Picture submitted by Arvie Bourgeault – seen at right in the picture above.