A Shellbrook couple who bought Chase the Ace draw tickets online was surprised when an unfamiliar number showed up on their phone’s display. The end result being they had won $1.2 million.
Over 150,000 people watched the live social media draw for the contest, hosted by Lloydminster Exhibition, but Duane and Janet Nyberg were unaware it was being streamed.
For over 40 weeks, residents watched the draw from the Lloyd Ex to see if the ace of hearts would be selected from the remaining cards.
Viewers heard Duane say he could not be at the Lloydminster Exhibition in 15 minutes to pull one of the seven remaining cards when his ticket was drawn, so a seasoned proxy from last year stepped in to do the honours.
For the second year in a row, John Blair drew the ace of hearts, ending the weeks of community and region participation to select the grand prize winner.
“We are still in shock here,” says Duane. “We’re going to help our kids out, pay some bills and spoil the wife.”
Ray Foy from the Lloydminster Exhibition Association notes this year they had 45 weekly winners leading up to the ace of hearts being drawn.
He is thankful for all of the community support, as this venture started in the height of the pandemic and is in its third season. The money raised from the lottery draw is going to needed projects at the events facility.
“We have put a new roof on the WLS convention centre. It was in need. We have torn down some hangars making room for a future expansion for a campground. We have put in some permanent infrastructure. Examples would be some permanent lighting around wagon camp for the chuckwagons. We have run power and wifi over to the infield tower,” says Foy.
Foy added this enables them to not have to rent all of that equipment.
Overall, he estimates this year the Lloyd Ex stands to benefit by about $1.5 million from the Chase the Ace proceeds.