Story ID: 
Upgrade Project on Vancouver Helipad Completed
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Pacific Heliport Services has completed a major upgrade project on the public-use heliport in downtown Vancouver, Canada.
Word Count: 237
Helijet International subsidiary Pacific Heliport Services has completed a CA$1.7 million upgrade to the floating public-use heliport in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. The British Columbia Airport Assistance Program (BCAAP) funded 75 percent of the project cost, while Pacific Heliport Services paid the remainder.

Part of an intermodal transport hub with easy connections to ferries, buses, trains, and Vancouver's cruise ship terminal, the facility plays an important role in the city’s governmental, private sector commerce, aeromedical transport, and tourism sectors.

The renovation centered around the design and construction of a pair of bridgeway connections linking the landing pad to the shore and also incorporated numerous facility and shoreline improvements within the heliport lease area. It was designed and completed by a locally based construction company. Since the project did not involve any in-water work, there were no environmental concerns to marine life or the natural habitat, according to the company.

“The provincial government is committed to helping airports and air facility operators across the province make the safety and capacity upgrades they need to better serve their customers and communities,” explained Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s minister of transportation and infrastructure. “We recognize the vital role this terminal and Pacific Heliport Services plays in the region, and through BCAAP, we’re pleased to have made this important upgrade possible while at the same time supporting British Coumbia’s construction sector.”