Residents invited to attend heliport open house

FORT McMURRAY — Residents of Fort McMurray and the surrounding Wood Buffalo area are invited to attend one of two open houses on Thursday, May 25, to learn about and provide feedback on the heliport project at Northern Lights Regional Health Centre.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is co-ordinating with community partners, including the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, to move forward with plans for the heliport’s construction.

Construction on the heliport – proposed to be located on land at the rear of the hospital in close proximity of the operating rooms, with a direct route to the Emergency Department – is expected to begin late this year, pending approval from Transport Canada and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Having the heliport beside the health centre will improve access for patients who need critical care transport.  

To build the heliport, AHS requires the use of a temporary safe work zone near the health centre, not far from the Dr. Clark & Father Turcotte School. A safe work zone is a designated area that allows contractors to access building materials and gives them space to complete the work as quickly as possible.

Two open house sessions are scheduled on May 25. Residents will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from AHS and the prime consultant, Stantec, about the project. The sessions will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the cafeteria of the health centre, located at 7 Hospital St.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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