February was a good month for two Manitobans whose lottery tickets scored them a big win.
Winnipegger Jim Konowalchuk and Thompson resident Conrad Hykawy each won one million dollars in prize money in February.
Hykawy discovered his win on a recent trip to Winnipeg, where he took his ticket to a self-checker at a store.
Initially, he underestimated his winnings, thinking he’d won $100,000.
“I had to scan it a few times,” Hykawy said. “I couldn’t see the number of zeros.”
Konowalchuk was at home when he verified his ticket online.
“After I discovered what I had won, I ran upstairs to tell my wife,” said Konowalchuk. “I said, ‘Get up! We won a million dollars!'”
Hykawy wasn’t as quick to announce the good news.
“I didn’t say anything for about a day and a half,” said Hykawy. “I don’t want people to get too excited.”
When it’s safe, Hykawy plans to use his money to fund a trip to Cuba. Until then, he plans on getting himself a new truck.
Konowalchuk and his wife are still deciding how to spend their newfound riches.
“Before we thought we might sell the house and buy a condo,” he said. “Now we are going to sit on it and try to absorb everything.
Konowalchuk said this couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We can help out the children and not have to worry about money anymore.”