Charlottetown man takes home $1M Chase the Ace jackpot

Charlottetown has a new millionaire, the North River Fire Department will have a new fire truck and the Kingston Legion has a new lease on life after the Chase the Ace lottery finally came to a close Saturday night.

Mike May, a commercial account manager for the Bank of Montreal, won the jackpot of $1,053,340.

It's been a sleepless night last night, but we're just trying to go on with the regular routine.- Chase the Ace winner Mike May

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," he said on Sunday. "It's been a sleepless night last night, but we're just trying to go on with the regular routine."

He wasn't the only big winner.

• Legion and fire department win big with chase the ace

The lottery — a group effort between the North River Fire Department and the Kingston Legion — was so successful, the fire department and Legion will also get about $700,000 each, said North River Fire Chief Anson Grant.

"Initially when we started this contest, if we made $20,000 or $30,000 we would have been happy and I know the Legion would have been happy with that, too," he said. "But it really grew beyond our expectations and we're very happy with the outcome."

Grant said the department will spend about $500,000 to replace a fire engine that is no longer up to code, and will have some money left over to pay down some debt or go toward something else.

"That's a pretty good feeling, that we'll be able to just write a cheque for this new truck, and it'll be parked in the community so the community can see actually where their dollars went to," he said.

Legion can stay open

The Legion's $700,000 share will give them much-needed financial security, Grant said.

"There are a lot of legions around the country and the province, they're not financially stable and having to close the doors which is sad to see, so it's good to the Kingston Legion will be able to keep their doors open for a good many years to come," he said.

The lottery began on Sept. 12, 2015, and the jackpot — and excitement — kept growing each week the ace did not get drawn.

Saturday night, the ace was finally drawn.

"There were 10 cards left in the deck, four kings and of course the ace and a couple other cards," Grant said. "The Legion member flipped the card up and we saw the ace there and it was just a fantastic feeling."

"The crowd at the Legion and fire hall just went ecstatic," he said.

Winner wasn't there for draw

But May himself wasn't there for the draw. He was at the Charlottetown race track — with his phone turned off.

"People at the race track started coming up to me and saying you won the big money," May said. "But until you physically talk to the people in charge, then it starts to settle in a bit."

People at the race track started coming up to me and saying you won the big money. But until you physically talk to the people in charge, then it starts to settle in a bit.- Mike May

He said he'll use the money to pay off debts, help out family and travel to Chicago to see a Blackhawks game.

"It just eases your mind a bit," he said.

Grant, meanwhile, is happy the lottery is finally over. He said he "couldn't even begin to count" the number of hours volunteers worked on the campaign. He thanked them, community businesses and other fire departments for their support.

"They were all very excited for Mr. May's big win and also that the contest is over for now and the volunteers can take a break and enjoy the rest of the summer."

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