Sherwood Park couple wins $2-million Western 649 jackpot
Lorna and Rolando Lavita of Sherwood Park have won the June 6 Western 649 $2-million jackpot, a life-changing prize they say they only began to believe after scanning their ticket several times. (lottodatabase.com)
Win confirmed at local Petro‑Canada
Lorna Lavita bought the winning Western 649 ticket at a Petro‑Canada on Baseline Road in Sherwood Park.
She said the moment of discovery started in the store when the ticket scanner showed a prize and she returned to scan it again to be sure.
The couple then asked a clerk and scanned the ticket a third time before leaving the store in stunned silence.
The sale location will receive the standard retailer acknowledgement that accompanies major lottery wins.
Immediate family reaction
At home, the Lavitas’ disbelief quickly gave way to excitement as family members checked the draw numbers online.
Their daughter pulled up the June 6 results to confirm the match while Lorna described feeling shaky and overwhelmed by the news.
The couple said their win prompted hugs and laughter, mixed with the surreal feeling that many jackpot winners recount.
They plan to take some time to process the win before making major public announcements or financial decisions.
Planned uses for the $2‑million prize
The Lavitas outlined modest, concrete plans for the prize, starting with buying a new home and making longer‑term investments.
They also said they intend to use part of the money to travel back to the Philippines to visit family, a priority they described as deeply meaningful.
The couple emphasized financial prudence, naming investment and professional money management as immediate next steps.
Those choices align with advice commonly offered to sudden wealth recipients who seek to preserve capital and secure family needs.
Claiming the prize and tax considerations
Winners of regional draws like Western 649 typically follow procedures set by the Western Canada Lottery Corporation to validate and claim prizes. (wclc.com)
Claim processes include ticket validation, identity verification and, for larger amounts, in‑person arrangements with the lottery corporation.
In Canada, lottery jackpots are treated as windfalls and are generally not considered taxable income, though any income generated from invested winnings may be subject to tax. (canada.ca)
Financial experts recommend that winners consult accountants and legal advisors promptly to plan for investments, estate matters and any cross‑border tax implications if money is moved internationally.
Retail and community response
Local retailers that sell winning tickets often receive recognition from the lottery corporation and increased foot traffic following a major prize sale.
Shop owners typically report a short burst of media attention and goodwill in their neighbourhoods after a top‑tier ticket is sold.
Community members said they were pleased to hear a Sherwood Park household had won and expressed hope the family would invest locally.
The Western Canada Lottery Corporation’s recent winners list shows a steady stream of provincial prize claims and retailer acknowledgements across the region. (wclc.com)
The Lavitas’ win follows a pattern of Western 649 prizes that have turned regular ticket buyers into sudden millionaires, prompting conversations about planning, privacy and community impact.
For now, the couple says their focus is on family, a new home and thoughtful financial planning as they adjust to their changed circumstances.
