December 20, 2021
JASPER — Starting today, STARS air ambulance helicopters will be able to land and take off at a new $760,000 heliport near the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre.
The heliport is located at the Parks Canada maintenance compound and will be used to support emergency operations for the entire area. The federal and provincial governments collaborated with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to develop infrastructure that supports all emergency operations for the area.
The heliport is one kilometre from the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre and has two access routes which can be used to avoid interruptions by trains passing through. Patients will be transported to and from the healthcare centre by ground ambulance. This is a safe and common practice in other communities across the province.
“No matter where you live in the province, it’s important that your healthcare needs can be met as close to home as possible,” says Jason Copping, Minister of Health. “This project helps make that a reality, and is part of our commitment to manage and improve health infrastructure and services across Alberta.”
Funding for the heliport came from a Government of Alberta grant. The heliport can accommodate all sizes of STARS helicopters. It features three touchdown locations allowing capacity for multiple landings at the same time, so STARS, Parks Canada or other emergency helicopters (forest fire, and search and rescue) can operate from the heliport simultaneously.
“We are pleased to have these funds going into the healthcare and emergency response systems,” says Martin Long, MLA for West Yellowhead. “Investments such as these in rural Alberta play an important part in ensuring Albertans have access to healthcare facilities that are safe and secure; places that provide high-quality care when they or their loved ones are sick or injured.”
The location of the Jasper heliport was selected because there was no land available on the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre site or downtown from which to safely operate large helicopters. The Parks Canada compound location provides a safe and easy approach along the Athabasca River. Parks Canada has agreed to work jointly with AHS on the upkeep of the heliport, including snow removal. A shed is also being built to house equipment and snow-clearing supplies.
“We are pleased to work with the province of Alberta on this project for a new heliport in Jasper National Park,” says Alan Fehr, Field Unit Superintendent, Jasper National Park. “This collaboration means better support for the health and safety of Jasper residents and visitors in emergency situations, which will benefit the whole community.”
A further $2.9 million of government Infrastructure Maintenance Projects (IMP) funding has recently supported other upgrades at the healthcare centre, including repairs to the residence boiler, residence exterior siding, and upgrades to the chiller, elevator and installation of a new fire alarm system.
“Projects like these help maintain our facilities and ensure our patients stay well,” says AHS President and CEO Dr. Verna Yiu. “So it is vital we keep our healthcare infrastructure current and up to date.”
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.
