Pacific Heliport Services (PHS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada-based rotary operator Helijet International, has completed a major $1.7 million upgrade of the public use intermodal heliport in downtown Vancouver on the south shore of Burrard Inlet.

The upgrade project entailed the design, fabrication and installation of two primary bridgeway connections to the floating heliport, along with numerous related facility and shoreline improvements within the heliport lease areas. The project construction was unique in that no in-water works were conducted throughout the project term, mitigating any environmental concerns to marine life and the natural habitat.

Located within walking distance of Vancouver's downtown core and part of a transportation hub with connections to SeaBus, SkyTrain, bus network and a cruise ship terminal, the heliport plays an instrumental role in facilitating government business, private sector commerce and tourism offerings.

The heliport also provides emergency life-saving medical services for the local region. It is certified by Transport Canada for both day and night operations, it serves the BC Ambulance Service for St Paul's Hospital and the North Shore's Lions Gate Hospital and is listed as an asset on the Critical Infrastructure list maintained by Emergency Management British Columbia (EMBC).

“I want to thank the Province for its funding and support of this project, as well as our many industry and private sector clients who supported our BCAAP funding application,” says Helijet and PS president and CEO Danny Sitnam. “I also want to thank the Harbour Heliport Society and the numerous helicopter air operators that use this heliport facility. These upgrades are a reflection of our commitment to them and the safety of the millions of passengers who travel with us each year.”

Seventy five per cent ($1,279,000) of the project financing for the $1.7 million airside build was provided by BCAAP, with Pacific Heliport Services providing the remaining 25 per cent. The project was a design-build contract awarded and completed by FRB Construction Systems, a company owned, operated and based in British Columbia.

“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,” says Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “We recognise the vital role this terminal and Pacific Heliport Services play in the region, and through BCAAP we're pleased to have made this important upgrade possible while at the same time supporting BC's construction sector and the work carried out by BC-based FRB Construction Systems.”