Chase the Ace profits dispersed in Sydney

No one could have known in the spring of 2015 that a Chase the Ace fundraiser in Sydney, N.S., would run for a full year before someone drew the ace of spades that won the jackpot.

That jackpot was huge: $2.9 m.

• Woman wins $2.9M at Sydney's Chase the Ace

For the fundraiser's two sponsors, Ashby Legion Branch 138 and the Horizon Achievement Centre, their take far surpassed their expectations, too.

The two groups have announced the settlement of the books for Chase the Ace, their iteration of the community lottery that has become hugely popular in Eastern Canada.

A prior agreement provided for an 80/20 split of profits in favour of the legion.

$2.5 m split two ways

Members, though, voted last week to increase the percentage going to the building fund of the Horizon Achievement Centre by $150,000, bringing the centre's share to just over 30 per cent.

Out of total profits of $3.07 million, $570,000 went to expenses, including rental on multiple extra venues once Chase the Ace outgrew the legion, extra police and security.

The legion will bank $1.7 million of the remainder, with $764,000 going to Horizon, a vocational training and employment service centre for adults with mental disabilities or those facing multiple barriers to employment.

The windfall to the legion will keep it going for years.

"The building is 1972 or earlier," said legion member and employee Larry Wall. "So we do have to do an upgrade there.

"Also, what they're trying to do is invest money so we can sustain this legion for the next 15 years or so without having to worry too much about finances, and that will, in turn, help us help the veterans and the elderly here in the legion."

Chasing the Ace again?

The Horizon Achievement Centre is working toward building a new facility on a piece of donated land near the new Open Hearth Park.

The money from Chase the Ace has bolstered the building fund to $1 million, halfway to their goal.

Horizon may turn to Chase the Ace again.

"I think there's a lot of community will and support and interest in doing it again," said Stephen Tobin, Horizon's business development manager.

"Over the last year, we certainly learned a lot. We've gotten it down pat, so to speak, and understand exactly what it takes to pull off such successful initiatives."

Tobin said a decision will be made on that in the fall.