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One-in-ten chance for Chase the Ace jackpot

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One year ago, Chase the Ace winner Darlene Allen, left, embraces friend Marjorie Baetz seconds after drawing the ace of spades in the Yellowknife Fastball League's Chase the Ace Contest at the Monkey Tree Pub. Allen won $42,590 of ticket sales from May 12, as well as the jackpot, which had grown to $276,706. NNSL file photo

There are only 10 cards remaining in Chase to Ace deck, the same number that was left when an Inuvik woman drew the winning card in Yellowknife last May.

That means if someone draws the ace of hearts tonight, they could walk away with $124,521.

One year ago, Chase the Ace winner Darlene Allen, left, embraces friend Marjorie Baetz seconds after drawing the ace of spades in the Yellowknife Fastball League's Chase the Ace Contest at the Monkey Tree Pub. Allen won $42,590 of ticket sales from May 12, as well as the jackpot, which had grown to $276,706.
NNSL file photo

Proceeds from this year's raffle are going to the Yellowknife Gymnastics Club to help pay for gym equipment.

“New foam for the foam pit – that alone is about $20,000,” Janet Murray, the club's general manager, said Wednesday.

The club also hopes to buy wall padding, safety mats, a new beam and a new set of uneven bars.

“The set of bars we have now don't go high enough for anyone that's taller,” said Murray. “It is a really good opportunity, having it make it this far and making the amount of money we've made but it's a lot of work and people don't realize how much time goes into it, to get to this point.”

The club has had to solicit volunteers to sell tickets at all of the draw locations every Friday for the last 40-plus weeks.

Lately, the Yellowknife Seniors' Society has been helping out.

“We needed more bodies,” said Murray.

This is the first time the gymnastics club has hosted a Chase the Ace contest.

Murray couldn't say yet how much money the club expects to raise through the lottery – it all depends on sales.

On each night of the 50/50 draw, 25 per cent of ticket sales goes to the pot, 25 per cent goes to the winning ticket-holder and the remaining money goes to the club, lottery licensing and other event-related expenses.

Last year's Chase the Ace champion, Darlene Allen, won $319, 296 after pulling the winning card on May 12. The months-long event brought in more than $500,000 was for the Yellowknife Fastball League.

This week's tickets will be sold on Friday night at the Moneky Tree Pub (6-8:30 p.m.), The Black Knight Pub, (6:30-8 p.m.), the Baker Community Centre (6:30-8 p.m.) and the Multiplex (6:30-8 p.m.).