New helipad project slated for Ponoka Hospital

PONOKA -- A new helipad at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre is expected to be unveiled this coming June.

This comes as fundraising for the major project continues to be undertaken by the Ponoka and District Health Foundation. The new helipad is slated to be built at the same location as the previous landing site, located on the north side of the hospital. In addition, the project will also include a new walkway extending from the pad to the hospital. 

According to the organization, the new helipad will encompass a larger area to accommodate the new STARS Airbus H145 helicopters. These aircraft were unveiled in 2022 to replace the former BK117 helicopters. The foundation also notes that the new helipad will be built to a higher standard than is currently required in anticipation of future requirements and to increase longevity.

The Ponoka and District Health Foundation is now working with Alberta Health Services to obtain the necessary approvals for the project. It is anticipated that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in early June to celebrate the project completion. At their meeting in late March, Ponoka Council approved $5,000 in funding towards the new helipad. Once completed, this will allow STARS to once again be able to transport patients to and from the Ponoka site.

"In emergency situations, every minute matters. A helipad at the Ponoka Hospital will significantly improve access for air ambulance services, ensuring patients requiring urgent, specialized care can be transported quickly and safely," said the Ponoka and District Health Foundation in a statement to the Town of Ponoka. "This project represents a major step forward in enhancing healthcare for our community and surrounding region."

We’ll have more on this story when it becomes available.