West Interlake Trading Co. Inc.

 The West Interlake Trading Co. Inc. (WITC) was formed in 1999 with the announcement that the Prairie Dog Central Railway would have Warren as their newly planned northern destination point.  The West Interlake Trading Co. Inc. believed that the attraction of a vintage train filled with up to 300 visitors per trip was exciting for the community and determined that the tourist and business potential could not be overlooked. 

A Temporary Stop-Over

Vendors in the Tent

The WITC, a non profit organization comprised of volunteers, established a presence and developed a temporary stop-over site just across the track from where the former Warren Station was situated.  A Country Market was opened, and a bare strip of property along the tracks became a hive of activity during the weekend as local folk hurried down to get the fresh produce, fresh-baked bread and home-made pies before the train arrived.  Local entertainers were booked to perform and others were drawn from the surrounding areas.  A festive environment was created with the help of clowns, and petting zoos throughout the season. 

Concepts Evolved

New concepts to expand the avenues of opportunity for ridership beyond the regular twice daily weekend runs were developed between The Vintage Locomotive Society Inc., owners of the Prairie Dog Central Railway, and the WITC.  Long-weekend family day excursions were formulated with a longer stop-over in Warren on these dates.  The WITC planned activities that would fit in with the theme of the holiday or the time of the season and additional activities were prepared such as horse-drawn wagon rides, bean bag toss and other games, crafts, a bounceroo, petting zoo when weather allowed, and a new line up of entertainers. 

Halloween Special

Another new concept was the Halloween excursions.  WITC had been decorating the Market structure for the local trick or treater’s to visit and this became expanded to become tours for train passengers in the Haunted hut over the two weekends prior to Halloween.  Members put their ideas together and the themes enacted throughout the years included the Bates Motel theme, an Old West haunted Village; Dr. Bonz’s Laboratory & Medical office and a haunted ship wreck.  The Market became transformed- a stockade of props, clever acting by the WITC members and extras from the community have made the Haunted hut a hit. The community hall serves as the site for passengers to have food and refreshments as well as games for kids – all of which has led to the sell-out of these spooky excursions year after year.  It was a new way for people to enjoy this time of the year and was loads of fun for all ages.

Christmas Runs

The Christmas runs – three runs in the evenings on one weekend, as well as two runs in the morning for Breakfast with Santa had been very successful and were also new concepts developed after 1999.  Our members have braved the cold and put up sparkling lights and other decorations, provided hot refreshments and drinks for those who arrived to the “North Pole” for the evening trips. The carolers who also bundled up to perform charmed appreciative audiences.

Breakfasts with Santa

On many mornings WITC members have braved the heat over the stove and grill, where they have stacked up the pancakes and sausages for the breakfasts with Santa in the festively decorated community hall.  These new items for the festive season provided another element of fun and memories for many, many people.

A New Home in the Grain Elevator!

A new home on the other side of the Tracks!

In the fall of 2003 a new adventure developed for WITC.  A lease-signing agreement between the RM of Woodlands and the Vintage Locomotive Society marked a change of location for the Country Market.  With the opportunity to move a littler further up the line, a permanent home was made at the former Agri-core United grain elevator site. 

WITC felt that the historic symbol of this prairie sentinel, which was slated for demolition, was worth saving and it was a perfect fit for the organization. A new platform was built and passengers were disembarking in May of 2005 at the newly renovated site. The on site Quonset became the new Country Market and the free stage was moved from the old site and today has the elevator as its backdrop. 

Click here for Educational Grain Elevator Pamphlet in PDF

Warren & District Lions Club Service and Support

The Warren and District Lions, supportive of the WITC venture, moved the hot dog and smokie shop, as well as the ice cream shop over to the new site.  And Lions undertook the development of their own Warren Park Complex right next door to the WITC site. Landscaping continues to be ongoing, development is ongoing, and the new life brought back to the area, which was once a hub of activity for area farmers, is immensely satisfying. 

Tours and Tales

The elevator would soon be open for tours and as it was an essential component of prairie living, the stories of pioneer life and farming would be told, but the structure that has towered over the town for years will continue to provide a landmark to the community, and a symbol that says we honor the past and innovate and plan for the future.

Options for group tours whether by train or other transportation were to be developed as was an information centre for tourists traveling through to the beautiful northern points of the province.  These and other projects are still in the development stages.  The weigh scale inside the elevator is still being utilized by the farmers and has been a great convenience to them.

Partnering with Prairie Dog Central Railway 

WITC also works with the PDC to provide tours for Schools in June with such partners as the Pioneer Quest, Oak Hammock Marsh and other attractions nearby.  This partnering is available for other ventures as well, such as a team up with a bed-and breakfast package that can include time spent at the South Interlake Golf and Country Club or the Woodlands Pioneer Museum.  We package the extras to suit the requirements and desires of the customer and to promote the local attractions in the area.

Thanks to the Support of the Entire Community

As a non-profit organization, WITC relies on the success of their endeavors to finance its continued activities and expansion. The West Interlake Trading Co. receives ongoing support of time and money from the Warren and District Lions and Herizons Clubs. In the past WITC has been very graciously supported by Super Six Community Futures Development Corporation, the Interlake Tourism Association, the former Warren and District Chamber of Commerce, the Woodlands Community Development Corporation, the RM of Woodlands, the Unincorporated Village of Warren, and those who have purchased debentures.  Seed money for the organization and seed opportunities were presented to WITC to assist in getting on its feet and have been much appreciated.  WITC has appreciated the unfailing support of the Vintage Locomotive Society, Manitoba Tourism, and the Manitoba Tourism Education Council, as well as the local attractions and communities who have assisted making the events and business of WITC so rewarding. 

 The development of West Interlake Trading Co has been a win-win situation for Warren.  Opportunities have arisen for other non-profit organizations. Business has seen an increase of patrons, new business has developed, as have friendships and new residents have moved into the community, in part, because of the growing energy and pleasure that experiences with WITC have helped foster.

Our Volunteers are Our Heroes

The dedication of the WITC members has been remarkable and with future endeavors yet to be championed by these heroes – not enough thanks can be expressed to those who have provided so much enjoyment to thousands of people every year, nor can it be overlooked how much their efforts have helped in sustaining the future of the community.

From a sleepy –weekend town to a community that was streaming with weekend visitors, the future for Warren is good, and Warren is indeed fortunate.

click here to go to History of the Warren Grain Elevator