Town of Vermilion Welcomes Railside Design Inc.

From left, Economic Development Officer Mary Lee Prior, Galen Wiebe owner of Railside Design, and Vermilion’s Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Karen Hughes.

Photo Lorna Hamilton

On May 8, Railside Design owner Galen Wiebe was officially welcomed to the Town of Vermilion during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Vermilion council chambers. The event was hosted by Economic Development Officer Mary Lee Prior, and Vermilion and District Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Hughes, who also presented Wiebe with a welcome plaque.

Wiebe and his wife relocated to Vermilion from Stettler in the fall of 2023, encouraged by one of their sons who now lives in Dewberry.

“We raised our four boys in Stettler, and now that they are all grown and have moved in different directions, we didn’t want to stay there alone,” Wiebe explained. “Our son encouraged us to move to Vermilion, and here we are.”

Originally from a hog farm in Manitoba, Wiebe has worked in the drafting profession for the past 25 years. His company, Railside Design, uses advanced drafting software such as CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and BIM (Building Information Modeling) to design a variety of structures, including residential homes, churches, agricultural buildings like sheds, shops, and barns, as well as commercial spaces such as office buildings and oilfield facilities.

“We work with architects, engineers, and others to create detailed 3D designs of projects, allowing clients to visualize what the finished product will look like,” said Wiebe. “My work spans across the province and the country. Last fall, I was working on a church project in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, and right now, I’m working on a school in Manitoba and a church in British Columbia.”

Wiebe emphasized that agricultural clients often reach out when they need help designing or planning structures on their farms, while commercial clients rely on Railside Design’s expertise in navigating the many regulations involved in construction.

“Many people plan to construct a building but are surprised to learn they need engineering on it,” he noted. “We are not engineers, but we work closely with a team of professional engineers and architects to ensure every project’s success.”

Railside Design’s 3D modeling software provides clients with interactive digital models of their projects.

“We provide a link that allows clients, from the comfort of their own homes, to view the new building from any angle they want,” explained Wiebe. “They can explore the model by adjusting settings; removing the roof, creating section plans, walking through the design, and changing other views. This is accessible to any interested party involved in the project.”

For more information about Railside Design, visit https://railsidedesign.com.