project begins ground breaking for train station restoration!

Roger McKinnon is organizing a celebrity football game to help realize the dream of his son Blair, who was fundraising to restore the E&N train station before he died earlier this month...read more..

March 27, 2010

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The Wild West Express left Nanaimo on Saturday March 27th with 250 passengers and crew on board. The event was a roaring success for the YPN effort to restore the station with everything from the saloon girls and cowboys to the train robbers and even a damsel in distress.
The afternoon began with a tented reception in the parking lot across from the damaged station. After the guests gathered they were ushered over the red carpet to the waiting train. The journey to Duncan was an eventful one. Roving musicians provided entertainment while guests were waited on by costumed and attentive YPN attendants. In Chemainus the train was hijacked by masked bandits who stole our lovely host Miss Kitty from the train. Not to worry though, we got her back at dinner when Bruce Williams and our guests banded together to raise the ransom for her release.
Dinner at the Quw’utsun’ Cultural Centre was exquisite. Andre Sullivan and Graham Bruce spoke on the project and the future of rail on Vancouver Island. With the help of the Quw’utsun’ staff and host Bruce Williams our guests returned to the train with full stomachs and empty wallets, all for the Nanaimo Train Station. When the final tallies were counted the event had raised over $40,000 for the YPN restoration effort!
The Young Professionals of Nanaimo would like to thank everyone who came together to make the Wild West Express such a successful effort. From our many sponsors and guests ( see below ) to our train crews and volunteers, we thank each and every one of you.  This was truly a “dinner delegation to save the Nanaimo Train Station”!

Every day we are getting closer and closer to our goal. Stay tuned for more as we move into our final month of fundraising efforts.

Event Partners

• Seaspan Coastal Intermodal
• SRY Rail Link
• West Coast Rail Association

Premier Sponsors

• SEL Conference Services
• Herold Engineering
• Restacon Services
• Impact Visual Communications
• Coast Radio 91.7
• Island Radio
• Nanaimo Daily News
• /A\ TV
• Okanagan Springs/Sleemans
• Cameron Photography
• Downtown Nanaimo BIA

First Class Sponsors

• Black and White Party Rentals
• In Character Costumes
• Green Thumb Nurseries
• Acme Rib & Seafood House
• Turley’s Florist
• Tourism Nanaimo
• DBL
• ETA Tours
• Sea Drift Fish Market
• Owl ‘n Pussycat
• Banjo Linda
• Back 40 Boys
• Buckerfields
• Carrot on the Run
• Harbour Air Seaplanes
• RONA
• Island Corridor Foundation
• Quw’utsun’ Cultural and Conference Centre
• Senini Graphics

March 05, 2010

The Choo Choo Chili Challenge was held at the Nanaimo Yacht Club on Friday, March 5. The event featured 7 teams and over 100 guests. The winning Chili team was the Downtown Nanaimo team lead by Debra Mayberry . Other participants included Perkins Coffee Co, DYS Architecture, Meyers Norris Penny, Integral Securities, Rocky Point Engineering and Herold Engineering. The event was also the kick off for the WILD WEST EXPRESS with the first ticket sold to David Stanley.  Many thanks to the chili teams and everyone who attended this great event!

november 26, 2009

Great to see everyone who came to the Beer & Burger night on November 26th in suport of our train station. We are happy to say more then 130 people showed their support and the event raised $2,188 towards the restoration of the E&N Station. A special thanks to the Old City Station Pub and everyone who donated and bid on the great auction items.

november 01, 2009

Thanks to everyone who turned up and made our Nov 1st BBQ such a great success. Not only were we able to raise some money but volunteers also worked hard at improving the landscaping.