ATHABASCA - We have a winner. That’s right. We have a winner.
The long wait is over as representatives of the Athabasca District Ag Society spent their May 28 afternoon counting up all the raffle tickets that have been purchased in support of the organization’s new indoor arena over the last several months. They carefully documented each ticket, before throwing all 3,436 of them into a clear garbage bag and picking out the three winners that would share $35,000.
Athabasca mayor Colleen Powell then rolled up her sleeves and chose Emilian Matveev as the winner of the $20,000 cash prize. Frazer Andrews claimed the $10,000 second prize, while Jeannie Harnett took home the $5,000 third prize. Not a bad haul for a $20 ticket in support of a local organization.
Ag Society president Shelly Younker was on hand at the Agriplex last Thursday along with several other Ag Society members and municipal officials, all properly distanced, to pick the names and put the raffle behind them as they strive to put the finishing touches on their newly built multi-use facility on the same ag grounds.
“We’re really impressed that we sold that many, with this whole COVID thing going on and we want to thank everyone for all the time and effort they put into this and to everybody who bought these tickets,” said Younker to the assembled audience.
Mayor Powell and Athabasca County reeve Larry Armfelt also said a few words about the importance of the new building and the opportunities it will open up to showcase the Athabasca area to the outside world.
“It is really a pleasure to see this thing built. It’s going to add another dimension to any of the activities we have around here and it’s going to celebrate rural life in our community and it’s going to bring people here,” said Powell.
Reeve Armfelt also had some words to share.
“This building is more than just a building, it’s kind of a tree. You guys have planted it here now and it will be used for generations, and I think that’s very important,” he said.
The construction of the $1 million-plus, 100-by-252 foot facility was helped along the way with two grants totalling $500,000 from the provincial government, which were matched by the Ag Society, using only their fundraising ability. The remaining work on the building will likely be covered by the remaining raffle dollars.
