Could A Permanent Helipad Be Touching Down In Williams Lake?

The Cariboo Regional Hospital District (CCRHD) is inquiring about a potential need for a helipad at Williams Lake Senior Secondary School property.

Board Chair Al Richmond said that came out of a discussion when they had Interior Health and the Ambulance Service came in to talk about the lack of a Helipad at Cariboo Memorial Hospital.

Richmond said it was deleted originally from the rebuild because of cost so BC Ambulance explained to us that they felt that was warranted, that it didn’t warrant the cost that facilitated with the amount the Helipad would be used in Williams Lake to go ahead with that.

“Subsequently there was a motion we (CCRHD) consider asking the province, the Ministry of Health, to approach the School District to see if a pad could be developed on the playing field at the school to facilitate when that type of service is needed. So we’ll write a letter to the Ministry of Health and Interior Health asking them to consider asking the School Board about developing a Helipad on the field.”

Richmond noted that he couldn’t comment around the logistics of that or what the rules may or may not be in respect to establishing a permanent Helipad.

“I know in emergencies many things can happen but if it’s a designated Helipad I don’t know what’s involved with that so we have to ask the authorities to look at what that would be. It would be outside the scope of what the Hospital District would normally fund as it’s not on Healthcare properties but we’ll just have to wait and see what the response to our request is.”

Richmond noted that the letter to Interior Health, the Ministry of Health, and School District 27 is in the process of being drafted.

The Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District said a dedicated landing zone close to the hospital would reduce delays in transferring patients from air ambulances at the airport, improving outcomes for trauma and critical care, especially for those in remote or rural areas.