The Turtleford helicopter pad is up and running to make access to life-saving care easier for residents. The Landing Pad launched on May 3 and is located next to the Riverside Health Complex for use by the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service.
In a statement, the Saskatchewan Health Authority says the funding for the $45,000 landing pad was made possible by two local organizations, the Town of Turtleford, the Rural Municipality of Mervin, and local and area businesses. MLA Collen Young says she commends all the parties involved in making the landing pad possible.
“Emergency medical services in Saskatchewan are an important lifeline, particularly for people who live and work in rural and remote areas.”
The Turtleford Lions Club are excited their idea of a hard surfaced landing pad came to fruition according to Turtleford Lions Club treasurer Red Pearce. The Lions Club and the Riverside Ski Hill helped raise close to $32,000 for the helipad.
“We were concerned with the potential of STARS helicopters not being able to land at the Turtleford health facility because of soft or compromised natural landing surfaces.”
According to SHA, In the 12 months from April 2018 to March 2019, STARS responded to Turtleford nine times. STARS has been serving Turtleford since 2016, but until now had no developed location to land.