When he woke up Friday morning, Nanaimo logger Bill Sutherland was still a few years away from retirement.
But by noon, when he found he’d won the grand prize in the Prince George Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery, Sutherland’s plans changed in a hurry.
“It’s unbelievable, I’m still kind of wondering that it’s real,” said Sutherland, who bought his ticket on the $880,000 show home online on March 23.
“I’m 61 now and I figured I’d be 65 before I retired but now I’m going to retire this year after Christmas. This sure is a life-changer.”
Built by Hopson Construction in the Aberdeen Glen subdivision, the home at 2834 Links Dr., comes with furniture and appliances, but Bill and his wife Deana won’t be moving in. They plan to sell it and use some of the proceeds to help their two adult children.
They are homeowners in Nanaimo and Deanna quit her job a few years ago as a day care manager to look after her own granddaughter four days a week at their home. The Sutherlands hope to buy a motorhome so they can take advantage of Bill’s early retirement and see the country.
Fifteen minutes before the Show Home draw, Scott Maloney’s ticket was drawn as the winner of the second Mega 50-50 draw. The Prince George resident will receive a cheque for $150,000.
Scott and his wife Amber have three kids, aged 20, 17 and 14. Scott is a construction contractor who owns his own business, Top Corner Plumbing and Heating, and he plans to follow his 14-year-old son’s advice to spend some, save some and invest some of his winnings.
A trip to Nashville this summer and maybe a winter vacation in Costa Rica is in store for the Prince George couple.
When he got the call from Show Home Lottery manager Liz Bennett, Scott thought he’s won the house.
“I had it wrong, I thought the country (radio) station said it was 11:45 for house and 12 p.m. for the 50-50, either way, I’m happy,” said the 46-year-old Scott.
“Me and my wife talked about it the other day and we’ve been buying tickets (on the Spruce Kings home) for 25 years. I’ve never won anything else.”
All 12,000 tickets for the Show Home Lottery were sold by Monday at $125 each and the 50-50 draw also sold out this week, after reaching its $300,000 maximum.
