Interior Health has received the go ahead from the Ministry of Health and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) to use the $300, 000 in surplus funding from the Invermere and District Hospital’s ER Redevelopment Project to make the necessary upgrades to the Invermere heliport. The first phase of the project will be planning and design.

“I am very pleased to see this project get underway,” said Health Minister Michael de Jong. “Moving forward with this project reflects our commitment to look at the provision of health services through a rural lens so that all patients, whether they need to be transported by ground or air, have timely access to the best care possible.”

Detailed planning will provide Interior Health (IH) with an up-to-date outline of the work needed in order to meet the requirements for Transport Canada certification and STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society) landings.

“The Hospital District Board encouraged using the surplus funds from the Invermere ER project as it saw the heliport as a key piece in emergency medical treatment in the Columbia Valley,” says John Kettle, KERHD Chair. “The board would like to thank Minister de Jong for approving the use of these funds and Interior Health for moving forward with the project in such a timely manner.”

Ground Effect Aerodome Consulting Ltd. has assessed the scope of work and is currently working on detailed designs which are expected to be completed by the end of August. Ground Effect Aerodome specializes in airport and heliport design and operational requirements.

“I’ve had the opportunity to visit Invermere on several occasions and have seen the heliport first hand,” said IH board chair Norman Embree. “Planning for this project is very important and I’m pleased that it’s underway.”

“Having a fully certified and functioning helipad is an important project for this area, not only for residents but for the many visitors who enjoy the Columbia Valley,” said District of Invermere Mayor Gerry Taft.

How quickly an upgraded helipad will be operational is also contingent on discussions occurring between Transport Canada and STARS regarding the use of current helicopters and the introduction of new aircraft in the near future.

Operations at the Invermere and District Hospital heliport ceased in June 2010 due to a number of deficiencies and safety concerns cited by Transport Canada. Interior Health worked with the B.C. Ambulance Service and STARS to develop a contingency plan using the Invermere airport to ensure rotary transport remains an option for getting patients to the care they need.

The $4.3 million dollar Invermere and District Hospital ER redevelopment project was completed in October, 2010.

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