GRAND PRIZE
Debert resident wins thousands of dollars from online contest /
TRURO – A Debert resident is thrilled and still in a little bit of disbelief that he won a national garage makeover contest. Tyler Starks was the grand prize winner of a Canadian Tire $ 15,000 contest. “It’s really overwhelming. I was second- guessing it and I couldn’t believe it,” Starks, 28, said. “I did a lot of researching to check its authenticity and then it sunk in.” Starks, an accountant in Debert, found out about last summer’s Champion Tune- up Your Garage online contest through a link on Facebook. However, it was only recently he received the good news he was the lone grand prize winner. “I entered ( the contest) once a day for two months online ... I honestly didn’t think I’d win the grand prize,” Starks said, adding he has filled out many contests forms in the past but has never won anything. And Starks has big plans for his winnings. He intends to use the money toward tools, a toolbox, an air compressor, benches and cabinets, to name a few. “I’m always doing projects ... I’m doing house renovations with the garage, too. It needs signing and wiring, the roof is half tin and half shingled and I need ( space) for my race car,” he said. “There’s tools all over the place and out- of- date equipment. This is the motivation to ( upgrade) and a chunk of ( the money) will go to kitchen renovations, too.” The cheque is expected to be given to Starks today. Kamila Karwowski, communications advisor with Canadian Tire Corporation Ltd., confirmed Starks’ win. Bart Hinze, associate dealer of the Truro- based Canadian Tire, was pleased with the success of a local resident. “At Canadian Tire, we are passionate about life in Canada. By giving Tyler the tools and products he needs to update his garage, we are hoping to help turn his jobs into joys,” said Hinze in a news release. “We’re happy to be helping Tyler finally transform his garage into an automotive shrine, and a true home for his race car.”