PNE 2017 prize home is large, furnished
The West Coast-modern house will be relocated to a lot in Naramata with a view of Okanagan Lake
The Pacific National Exhibition unveiled its 83rd prize home Tuesday. The PNE prize home will be relocated to Naramata in the Okanagan after the draw, which takes place Monday, Sept. 11.
The first time
The lucky winner of the PNE’s first prize home in 1934 was Leonard Frewin. Including furnishings, the 800-square-foot home was valued at $5,000. He was in love with Emily Leitch, whose parents rejected him because he had no prospects. With the home at 2812 Dundas St., he was able to marry her.
Marketing houses
The PNE gave away its first prize home to promote the province’s ailing house-building industry during the Great Depression. Tickets were sold for 10 cents each, which generated enough revenue to cover all costs and produce a little profit.
A home isn’t a brick
In 1973, the PNE decided to forgo a prize home. Someone had the idea of selling tickets for a gold brick. It didn’t work. The PNE learned a lesson and ever since that experiment has continued to raffle a home.
Bigger and more expensive
This year’s PNE prize home is a 3,100-sq.-ft, West Coast-modernstyle home and, like the original, is fully furnished. Unlike the home Leonard and Emily lived in, however, the 2017 home has an entertainment lounge, home-theatre room and espresso machine in the master bedroom. Altogether, it’s valued at more than $1.6 million. The house is destined for a lot in Naramata, with a view of Okanagan Lake.
No waiting for tickets
The 83rd annual PNE prize home includes a feature unimaginable to Leonard and Emily: buying tickets online and by phone. The PNE is selling two tickets for $25, six for $50 and 15 for $100. They’re available by going to pneprizehome.ca, or phoning 604-678-4663 or toll free at 1-877-946-4663.