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Sooke Rotary auction a big success

The auction raked in more than $40,000, making it the biggest and most successful Rotary auction yet.

Around 3,000 people filled the SEAPARC Leisure Complex arena last weekend for what was one of the biggest and most successful Sooke Rotary auctions in history, say organizers.

The auction raked in more than $40,000 for the Sooke Rotary, easily breaking its previous record of $35,000 last year, all of which is invested back into community-focused causes. With around $70,000 worth of goods and services in its stock, the club certainly had a lot of variety to offer.

“It was a wonderful time … everything pretty much had a bid on it, and sold well. Some stuff was selling higher than the asking price, which was amazing,” said Rotarian and auction co-chair Roger Temple.

Temple, who’s in charge of gathering bicycles for the Rotary auction every year, had 34 models for sale, some of which were donated by the Sooke RCMP. All bicycles were sold.

Some unique items, including a quad, numerous wood carvings, special coupons for local hotels and inns, as well as several pieces of artwork by local artists.

And even though the event is just one day, it still takes three more to properly get it set up, Temple said, adding some Rotarians, pulled 15 hour days to keep within schedule.

“It’s very taxing, but it was all well worth it,” he said.

They weren’t entirely alone either. Around a dozen or so Edward Milne Community School students also lent a hand in preparing and helping Rotarians and other volunteers set up the auction for the Saturday event.