The coveted cottage at Candle Lake was finally awarded this past weekend after months of anticipation. Candle Lake is a popular vacation destination in Saskatchewan, Canada and this particular cottage is situated on a prime piece of lakefront property. The contest to win the cottage was highly publicized across the province and open to all residents. Thousands entered for a chance to win the luxurious getaway. In the end, the lucky winner turned out to be Gwen Thompson of Regina.
The Cottage
The cottage itself is a spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom lodge-style home with a huge deck overlooking the glittering blue waters of Candle Lake. Some highlights include a modern chef’s kitchen with stainless steel appliances, a great room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, a master suite with a jetted soaking tub, and top-of-the-line finishes throughout. The property spans half an acre and also comes with a private dock and lakeside fire pit. With majestic views, luxurious details and a tranquil setting, this cottage is truly a dream come true.
The Contest
The contest to win the cottage was held by the Candle Lake Tourism Board. It was open to all legal residents of Saskatchewan over the age of 18. Contestants simply had to fill out an online ballot on the tourism board’s website to enter. The contest ran for a period of 2 months from January 1st to February 28th. A staggering 145,302 entries were received from across the province during this time. Interest was extremely high, given the desirability of the grand prize.
Selection Process
To select the winner, a random electronic draw was held by the tourism board on March 1st. All qualified entries were pooled together and the winning name was electronically chosen at random. The selection process took place under the supervision of a third-party auditor to ensure it was fair and impartial. Once the winning name was drawn, the winner was notified by phone and email within 24 hours. After confirming her eligibility and acceptance of the prize, Gwen Thompson was announced publicly as the contest winner.
The Winner
41-year old Gwen Thompson of Regina was overjoyed to learn she had won the incredible Candle Lake cottage. A married mother of two teenagers, Gwen works as an elementary school teacher. She had entered the contest not actually believing she’d win, so getting the call was a wonderful surprise. In interviews, Gwen said she regularly vacations at Candle Lake with her family and has always dreamed of having a place of their own there. The cottage will allow her to share special memories with her husband and kids for years to come. They are all thrilled!
Transfer of Ownership
Per the contest rules, Gwen took possession of the cottage on March 15th. The tourism board handled all necessary paperwork to officially transfer ownership from the previous owners to Gwen. She is now the rightful owner of the property and will assume responsibility for all taxes, utilities and maintenance going forward. To celebrate the win, Gwen and her family spent the first weekend at their new cottage relaxing, exploring the area and taking in the gorgeous water views.
Impact on Candle Lake
The contest generated major buzz and exposure for Candle Lake. The tourism board was strategic in using the desirable cottage as a prize to promote the region. All contest entries required an email address, so their marketing database grew significantly. This will allow them to target promotional campaigns to new audiences. The contest also attracted extensive media coverage across Saskatchewan as thousands vied to win. Candle Lake saw a noticeable bump in visitors this winter as people were inspired to visit and enjoy winter activities. This tourism boost is expected to continue now that contest publicity has raised Candle Lake’s profile.
Future Contests
Given the success of the cottage giveaway, the Candle Lake Tourism Board plans to hold similar contests annually. Next winter they will likely give away a luxury cabin or a package of vacation prizes. These contests serve several purposes – they attract new visitors, give away attractive prizes, grow marketing reach, and motivate people to explore the area. Moving forward, the tourism board is committed to making Candle Lake an even more coveted destination within Saskatchewan and beyond.
Conclusion
The much-anticipated giveaway of the Candle Lake cottage was a resounding success all around. Teacher Gwen Thompson is overjoyed with her dream cottage, while Candle Lake enjoyed a tourism and publicity boost. The creative contest promoted the region effectively and may become an annual tradition. For Gwen and her lucky family, they can now enjoy endless memories in their new lakeside retreat. After months of excitement and speculation over the contest, Gwen Thompson is the well-deserving winner of the coveted cottage at Candle Lake.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cottage location | Candle Lake, Saskatchewan |
| Cottage features | 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, chef’s kitchen, great room, master suite, dock, firepit |
| Contest host | Candle Lake Tourism Board |
| Contest duration | January 1st to February 28th |
| Number of entries | 145,302 |
| Selection process | Random electronic draw |
| Winner | Gwen Thompson of Regina |
| Impact on Candle Lake | Increased visibility, tourism and marketing reach |
Candle Lake region
Candle Lake is located in west-central Saskatchewan, about 185 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon. It is a pristine freshwater lake surrounded by abundant natural wilderness, forests and wildlife. The lake itself spans 73 kilometers and is popular for fishing, boating, swimming and water sports in the summer. In winter, candle lake transforms into a frozen paradise for ice fishing, skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and more. Luxury cottages and rental cabins dot the shoreline, providing access to the lake’s recreational opportunities. The region also features hiking trails, public parks, campgrounds and the historic resort community of Candle Lake. This breathtaking natural playground provides the perfect setting for the coveted cottage that Gwen Thompson just won.
Contest publicity
In order to attract the most entries, the Candle Lake Tourism Board heavily promoted the cottage giveaway contest leading up to and throughout its duration. They used a mix of traditional and digital marketing tactics to spread the word across Saskatchewan. Some key publicity initiatives included:
– Print ads in Saskatchewan newspapers and magazines
– Targeted Facebook and Instagram posts
– Radio contest announcements on stations across the province
– Web banner ads on high-traffic Saskatchewan websites
– Email blasts to tourism mailing lists
– Cross-promotion with key Saskatchewan influencers and brands
– Strategic search engine marketing and optimization
– Direct engagement at travel shows and local events
– News releases to media outlets detailing contest information
– In-person distribution of promotional flyers
– Social media contests leading up to the grand prize draw
The sustained multimedia campaign significantly raised awareness of the contest and motivated Saskatchewan residents to enter. It drove impressive website traffic and engagement leading to over 145,000 contest entries.
Cottage features and layout
Nestled along 130 feet of exclusive lakeshore, the winning cottage boasts the following world-class amenities and design:
– 4 spacious bedrooms with vaulted ceilings, ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets
– Open concept gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances and island
– Great room with floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and panoramic lake views
– Rustic-chic dining room and lounge areas
– Master suite with jetted soaker tub and private deck access
– Secondary bedrooms tailored for kids and guests
– Flex room ideal for office, gym or cinema space
– Laundry room with high-capacity washer/dryer
– Heated floors throughout with rustic wood and stone accents
– Wrap around deck with exterior fireplace and outdoor speaker system
– Attached heated triple-car garage
– Lakeside fire pit and seating area
– Private dock with boat lift and swimming platform
Designed for luxurious year-round living, the cottage boasts top-of-the-line details and comforts for a lucky family to enjoy.
Ways to enjoy Candle Lake
Candle Lake offers endless options to enjoy the spectacular scenery and pristine waters. Popular summer activities include:
– Fishing – Candle Lake is famous for walleye, northern pike, perch and trout.
– Boating – Cruise the open waters on pontoon boats, wakeboard boats or kayaks and canoes.
– Swimming – Take a dip right off the dock or swim at beautiful public beaches.
– Hiking – Explore scenic trails that range from easy to challenging.
– Golf – Tee off at Candle Lake Golf Resort’s 18-hole course with stunning lake views.
– Mountain Biking – Ride the trails through thick forests and winding terrain.
– Camping – Pitch a tent or park your RV at one of many campgrounds.
– Birdwatching – Spot diverse species including loons, herons and trumpeter swans.
– Stargazing – Enjoy unreal stargazing views in the dark wilderness setting.
Come winter, Candle Lake transforms into a frozen wonderland for:
– Ice Fishing – Drill through the ice to catch walleye, pike, lake trout and more.
– Skating – Glide across the frozen lake or play hockey and ringette.
– Cross-Country Skiing – Trek through snow-covered forests on groomed trails.
– Snowmobiling – Race across the frozen lake on your sled.
– Dog Sledding – Experience the thrill of dog sledding with a tour operator.
– Snowshoeing – Wander the backcountry trails on snowshoes.
– Ice Climbing – Scale frozen waterfalls and rock formations.
– Snowboarding – Shred powder runs at the small downhill resort.
With its stunning setting and endless recreation, Candle Lake promises year-round memories for Gwen Thompson and her lucky family in their new cottage retreat.
Contest terms and conditions
To ensure the Candle Lake cottage giveaway contest was fair and transparent, the Candle Lake Tourism Board established clear terms and conditions for entry which were publicly posted on their website and promotion materials. Key terms included:
– Entrant must be a legal resident of Saskatchewan and 18+ years old
– Only one entry allowed per person
– Entry must be received online by 11:59pm on February 28
– Entry requires full name, contact info and email address
– Winner selected by random electronic draw on March 1
– Winner contacted within 24 hours of draw
– Winner must correctly answer a skill-testing question
– Winner agrees to have name and image publicized
– Winner assumes all taxes, fees and ownership costs
– No cash substitute for prize
– Cottage awarded as-is with no warranty
– Winner must take possession by March 15
– Contest void where prohibited
– Tourism board reserves right to cancel the contest at any time
– All decisions by the tourism board are final
These terms and conditions ensured transparency, set expectations among entrants and protected the tourism board legally when awarding this high-value grand prize.
Tips for enjoying Candle Lake cottage life
For Gwen Thompson and her family, winning the incredible Candle Lake cottage is a dream come true. Here are some tips so they can make the most of this amazing prize:
– Hold a family brainstorming session – Have everyone suggest ideas for enjoying the cottage so all voices are heard. Post one big list of everything you want to do.
– Create summer and winter bucket lists – Build seasonal bucket lists of experiences you want to have at the cottage from fishing to ice skating.
– Invest in outdoor gear – Be sure to have quality supplies for seasonal activities like kayaks, mountain bikes, skates and snowshoes.
– Stock up on board games and movies – For cozy nights or rainy days inside, have lots of entertainment options ready to go.
– Research local attractions – Immerse yourselves in what the area offers beyond the cottage like hiking trails, shops and restaurants.
– Establish cottage rituals – Institute special cottage traditions like Saturday pancake breakfasts or Sunday ice cream nights.
– Schedule regular family weekends – Find standing times throughout the warmer and colder months when you’ll all be at the cottage together.
– Maintain the property – From deep cleans to yard upkeep, stay on top of maintenance so you always enjoy its beauty.
– Reminisce over memories – Keep photo albums, journals or memory books to look back on all the wonderful lake memories you’ll make.
By preparing well, investing in the right gear and prioritizing family time, Gwen and her loved ones are sure to create a lifetime of unforgettable moments at their new Candle Lake retreat.
Next steps for the winner
Gwen Thompson won the ownership rights to the Candle Lake cottage, but there are still some important next steps she must take to make it fully her own. Recommended action items include:
– Finalize the property transfer paperwork with legal descriptions, title and deed registration. Hire a real estate lawyer to help navigate this process smoothly.
– Arrange for any needed inspections, especially if planning renovations. Inspect the roof, septic system, foundation, etc. to identify areas for improvement.
– Review the cottage insurance needs and work with an agent to get appropriate coverage in place for the structure and contents. Make sure liability protection is adequate.
– Understand tax implications – the cottage value may increase property taxes. Consult an accountant to determine tax planning strategies.
– Budget for upcoming ownership costs like utilities, landscaping, cleaning, general maintenance, repairs, improvements, etc. Build a fund for anticipated expenses.
– Outfit the cottage with furnishings, kitchenware, linens, appliances and other essentials to your family’s taste. Shop sales and secondhand stores to save.
– Decide which contractors to establish relationships with – plumbers, electricians and other tradespeople you can call for cottage repairs and services.
– Personalize by display family photos, upgrading fixtures/finishes, adding an outdoor living space, repainting, etc. Make the cottage truly your own.
– Share the news and make plans! Tell family and friends about your incredible win. Host housewarming gatherings and start creating wonderful cottage memories.
The Candle Lake cottage has endless potential for Gwen and her family to enjoy for generations to come!
