VAST Resource Solutions Opens Nelson Office

VAST Resource Solutions is putting down roots in the West Kootenay with a new permanent office on Front Street in downtown Nelson.

For more than a decade, VAST has delivered environmental, engineering, and forestry projects throughout southeastern B.C., with teams regularly working across the East and West Kootenays. Opening a Nelson office, in addition to its Cranbrook location, represents VAST’s long-term commitment to investing in the communities, people, and landscapes that shape our professional and personal lives.

VAST’s multidisciplinary team of more than 55 professionals includes engineers, environmental scientists, terrestrial and aquatic biologists, geomatics specialists, and forestry experts who work together to support projects through every phase—from early environmental assessment and permitting to engineering design and implementation.

That integrated approach is particularly valuable in the Kootenays, where projects often require balancing infrastructure and natural resource development with diverse terrain, sensitive ecosystems, regulatory requirements, and a deep understanding of the region’s landscapes.

The Nelson office also reflects the growth of VAST’s West Kootenay team. Senior geotechnical engineers Nathan Swanson and Pete Wittstock are among the professionals who live in Nelson, and both bring extensive experience in geotechnical investigations, geohazard assessments, and infrastructure projects in mountain environments.

According to Swanson, strong engineering practice starts with accountability and communication.

“Our duty as engineers is to ensure whatever is being built is done correctly, safely, and transparently,” he says. “Clients place a lot of trust in us, and we take that seriously. It’s about understanding the client’s interests, making good decisions in the field, and ensuring projects move forward in a way that maintains public trust and long-term safety.”

Wittstock adds VAST has built deep relationships and trusted networks across not only the region, but the country, which allows their clients to access a broad range of expertise through a single trusted partner.

“Projects here rarely happen in isolation,” Wittstock says. “They involve communities, industry collaborators, regulators, First Nation partners, and technical specialists working together. One of the strengths of our team is being able to connect those different people and perspectives and bring the right expertise together to deliver practical solutions that are technically sound and grounded in the realities of the region.”

For the VAST team, opening an office in Nelson is about becoming part of the community — bringing employment opportunities, local expertise, and long-term investment into the region while caring for the landscapes and communities that are home.

To connect with the VAST Resource Solutions West Kootenay team, call (250) 426.5300 or visit www.vastresource.com.