THUNDER BAY – COVID-19 has pushed back the Fort William Rotary House Lottery to Oct. 12.
Organizers of the annual fundraiser say they have sold just 32 per cent of tickets for the draw, which was initially scheduled for Marina Park on Canada Day.
The top prize is a home worth $589,000, located on South Creek Street.
Normally open each weekend for tours and ticket sales, the home has been closed to the public since the COVID-19 pandemic broke.
As of Tuesday, they’ve only sold 32 per cent of their ticket allotment. At the same time last year they were at 61 per cent.
“Now more than ever, the proceeds from this lottery are desperately needed by charities within our community and region. It is for this reason that we reached out to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and we have been granted some changes to our lottery,” said Fort William Rotary Club chair Stephen Margarit in a statement.
The draw will now take place at noon on Thanksgiving Day.
In addition to mail-in tickets or being able to buy from local Rotarians, the lottery will also accept telephone transactions. Ticket orders can be submitted online and a rep will phone back to complete a credit card-only transaction.
Dates have also been changed for the 10 early bird draws, which will be held each Friday between July 3 and Sept. 4.
“All of us at Fort William Rotary would like to thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented time. We look forward to handing over the keys to this beautiful home later this year.”
