AHS is excited to be moving forward with the new heliport at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre. Having the heliport beside the Health Centre will improve access for patients who need critical care transport. A temporary convenient safe work zone is required until late 2018 to ensure the contractors have access to building materials and a place to work in order to meet project timelines and get the heliport up and running as quickly as possible. After exploring several options AHS has identified a space of land owned by the Municipality next to t to the Health Centre and Dr. Clark & Father Turcotte School as the ideal area for the temporary safe work zone.
Thank you to everyone who attended our open house sessions in May. We’ve compiled a summary of those discussions and look forward to engaging with you as we move forward on this project.
Project Updates
Why heliport is needed?
- Time is critical in medical emergencies, so the ability to land at the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre is vitally important.
- The new helipad will give patients improved access to the life-saving care they need.
- It will also give our dedicated front-line responders a greater ability to provide responsive critical care.
- The helipad will serve residents in Wood Buffalo and surrounding communities.
Advantages of chosen location of NLRHC heliport
- Close proximity to the operating room
- Direct route to the Emergency Department
- Will require less preparation as previously discussed options
- Result in lower costs and shorter construction timelines
- Minimal inconvenience to patients, families and neighbours during construction
Why safe work zone required?
- ensure the contractors have quick access to building materials
- meet project timelines and get the helipad up and running as quickly as possible
What AHS will do?
AHS recognizes the proposed safe work zone is near a school and not far from residents, as such AHS will take the following steps:
- Fencing – The safe work zone will be surrounded by a tall locked fence that will be locked when not in use.
- Decorative hoarding – AHS will install hoarding around on the fencing surrounding the site and ensure an aesthetic component is included.
- Student safety education – AHS is collaborating with schools to discuss with students the importance of site safety and the dangers of playing around construction materials.
- AHS Protective Services patrol - The safe work zone site will be patrolled regularly by AHS’ Protective Services team.
- Security camera – A security camera is installed near the safe work zone and it monitors the site 24 hours a day.
- Construction activities - will abide by all air emission and noise regulations of the regional municipality
Why not have safe work zone in the NLRHC parking lot?
- Not enough space
- AHS has 264 stalls for staff, we issue 536 passes (we operate 24/7)
- Additional parking required for Building Envelope, and other facility based projects
Helicopter flight path
- In determining the exact flight path at the NLRHC, AHS and their consultants will take into consideration the following:
- helicopter flight patterns, impact on nearby residents (including safety and noise), as well as off-site obstructions
- proximity to the emergency department, ICU and OR
- security
- maintenance and operational requirements
- On average 63 air ambulance helicopters a year are expected to land
- Based on past research, AHS expects noise disruption for nearby residents to be short periods during take-off and landings. Given the flight path and elevated heliport platform, this noise is not expected to interrupt classes in the nearby schools.
Project Next Steps
June 2017 – Letter sent to nearby residents on application for work safe zone development permit
Summer 2017 – Municipality vote on development permit for work safe zone
Fall 2017 – If approved heliport construction to begin (fencing up before school starts in September)
