By Tracy Watson, Communications Consultant, Interior Health
The helipad project at Queen Victoria Hospital (QVH) is nearing completion, with only Transport Canada certification remaining until it can begin accepting landing aircraft.
Revelstoke-based general contractor Vic Van Isle Construction Ltd. has completed the construction phase, working alongside some generous community construction service donors. The only remaining items for completion are a partially covered walkway to the hospital emergency department, and some work which will be completed once the weather is warmer such as finishing landscaping and asphalt patching. These will happen in spring 2018 and are not required for final certification to occur.
Although construction is complete, Interior Health cannot open the helipad until it is certified by Transport Canada. It is anticipated that Transport Canada will complete its inspection in March, with certification to come in the following weeks. Upon final approval, Interior Health will begin operation of the helipad, which will enhance access to trauma services for the Revelstoke region, allowing helicopters to land at QVH. This will allow for the lifesaving medical transport of QVH’s most critical patients to a higher level of care, as quickly as possible. Upon completion, Interior Health will be responsible for daily operation and maintenance of the helipad.
The QVH helipad project included both planning and construction at an anticipated cost of $547,000, which combines both financial and in-kind donations. Interior Health is appreciative of the fundraising support of the Revelstoke District Health Foundation, the North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap Regional Hospital District, and the City of Revelstoke Tourism Infrastructure Committee, which helped make the helipad project possible.
Interior Health is also grateful to the community for its support of this project, and would like to thank patients, members of the public, staff, physicians and our hospital neighbours for their patience during the construction phase. We will keep the community updated as we progress toward Transport Canada certification and approval of operation.
