The winner of a Cape Breton pre-Christmas 50/50 draw will take home $116,165.50.
Mary Holland was in Halifax when she got the news in a phone call from the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association Saturday afternoon.
"She just about fainted," said James Edwards, the president of the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association, adding the association got her voicemail during the first call.
Draw has been taking place since 1994
The association has been running the contest weekly during the hockey season since 1994 to help pay its operating expenses and to give parents a break on the $1,000 cost of registering and outfitting a child to play.
There were 20 extra draws after the big prize, Edwards said, for prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000.
The hockey association expected this weekend's jackpot to reach at least $100,000. Two years ago, it reached $144,657.50 and was won by Frank Pickup of Dominion.
Edwards said the cost of playing hockey continues to rise, so the proceeds of the ticket sales are a big help for everyone involved.
"The cost of hockey, from the ice time to the equipment, skates, stick … I mean, you can buy a hockey stick now for $350 and more, a pair of skates is $250 minimum," he said.
Allan O'Handley of Glace Bay picked up his tickets at the Dominion Arena. (George Mortimer/CBC)
Edwards said the draw has taken on a life of its own and organizers got calls from people throughout Nova Scotia, parts of Canada and even other areas of the world who wanted to buy tickets.
"I've had calls from all over Canada this week," said Edwards. "In fact, I had a Facebook message from Australia this week as well, looking for Glace Bay Minor Hockey tickets.
The office manager for the hockey association, Tracey Hanrahan, called Holland to tell her she won. She said winners always show a wide range of emotions when they get the news.
"I've had calls with people breaking down over the phone or just in total shock or screaming or saying a few curse words because they're so excited or so in shock," Hanrahan said.
The draw took place at 3:15 p.m. at the association's office in the Dominion Arena.
