Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A new heliport will allow STARS air ambulance and other emergency helicopters to land and take off near the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre starting Dec. 20.
Located at the Parks Canada maintenance compound, the $760,000 heliport is one kilometre from the health-care centre.
鈥淣o matter where you live in the province, it鈥檚 important that your health-care needs can be met as close to home as possible,鈥� said Health Minister Jason Copping in a news release.
鈥淭his project helps make that a reality, and is part of our commitment to manage and improve health infrastructure and services across Alberta.鈥�
The heliport features three touchdown locations, allowing capacity for multiple landings at the same time, and can accommodate all sizes of STARS helicopters.
The Parks Canada compound location was chosen because no land was available at the health-care centre or downtown where large helicopters could be safely operated
Patients will be transported to and from the health-care centre by ground ambulance.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) stated this is a safe and common practice in other communities, and the heliport has two access routes that can be used to avoid interruptions caused by trains.
鈥淲e are pleased to work with the province of Alberta on this project for a new heliport in Jasper National Park,鈥� said Alan Fehr, field unit superintendent of Jasper National Park.
鈥淭his collaboration means better support for the health and safety of Jasper residents and visitors in emergency situations, which will benefit the whole community.鈥�
The federal and provincial governments collaborated with AHS to develop this infrastructure to support emergency operations for the area.
Funding for the heliport came from a Government of Alberta grant.
鈥淲e are pleased to have these funds going into the health-care and emergency response systems,鈥� said Martin Long, MLA for West Yellowhead.聽
鈥淚nvestments such as these in rural Alberta play an important part in ensuring Albertans have access to health-care facilities that are safe and secure; places that provide high-quality care when they or their loved ones are sick or injured.鈥�
Parks Canada and AHS will work jointly to upkeep the heliport, including snow removal, and a shed is being built to house equipment and snow-clearing supplies.
In addition, $2.9 million of government Infrastructure Maintenance Projects funding has recently supported other upgrades at the health-care centre.
These include repairs to the residence boiler, residence exterior siding, and upgrades to the chiller, elevator and installation of a new fire alarm system.
鈥淧rojects like these help maintain our facilities and ensure our patients stay well,鈥� said AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu.
鈥淪o, it is vital we keep our health-care infrastructure current and up to date.鈥�
