Kinsmen request less money for 2019 lot
The Medicine Hat Kinsmen revamped their annual Home Lotto fundraiser this year, and are asking for a lower discount on a city lot ahead of the 2019 giveaway.
Members of the club appeared before Wednesday city development committee with a requesting the city give a 25 per cent discount, equating to about $24,600, on a cityowned lot in the Southlands community.
“I’m really pleased that the club has come back with a more appropriate ask (request),” said committee member Coun. Jamie McIntosh. “It had been escalating over the years.”
In fact, the current request is less than half the amount the city provided last year when negotiations with the land department went public last year, with the club appealing directly to council for a larger than usual discount.
Eventually council approved a 50 per cent discount worth $48,000 as the group argued its annual lottery was suffering would struggle to make a profit.
Price breaks ranged between $31,000 and $38,000 in four previous years.
This year, club officials say the lotto has been energized, and they’re happy with the lower discount.
“We’ve made changes that are going to make a big difference,” said Adam Thompson, project chairman for the club.
This winter the club switched to a shorter lottery period (sales opened before Christmas and the draw is April 1), and to accommodate, the shift is raffling off an existing home.
They plan to build a house for the spring 2019 draw, meaning they need construction to start soon so the completed home is open for viewings when tickets go on sale.
Next year’s lot would be at 609 Somerside View, if council approves covering the discount expense with reserve funds at its the April 2 meeting.
Committee Chair Robert Dumanowski said the Kinsmen does good work — it supports free swim and skating programs in Medicine Hat and Redcliff — and the amount is lower than previous years.
“There’s a long history here and the payback over 34 years is pretty significant,” he said.
Current draw nears
The cutoff for ticket sales at this year’s revamped Kinsmen Home Lotto is this weekend ahead of the winning draw on Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m.
The Bravada-built home, located at 80 Hamptons Cres., is open for viewing and is valued at $500,000.