The new landing pad is now complete for the Shock, Trauma, Air Rescue Service (STARS) air ambulance in Turtleford. (submitted photo/Melanie Garner)

By Angela Brown

Community support

Turtleford receives new landing pad for STARS

May 3, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The Turtleford community now has better access to emergency healthcare services now that work on the new landing pad for the Shock, Trauma, Air Rescue Service (STARS) air ambulance is complete.

STARS air ambulance uses the landing pad located next to the Riverside Health Complex to transport patients needing critical care to larger hospitals that provide specialized services.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) officially launched the new landing pad at the Helipad Site at First St. S. in Turtleford during a formal ceremony Friday.

Two local organizations (the Turtleford and District Lions Club and Riverside Ski Hill), the Town of Turtleford, the Rural Municipality of Mervin, and local and area businesses, joined the SHA in funding the project.

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The total cost of the Turtleford Helipad is about $45,000 in cash and in-kind services, including sand and gravel, topsoil, turf, rubber paving, and the transportation and installation of rig mats that form the surface of the helipad.

“Emergency medical services in Saskatchewan are an important lifeline, particularly for people who live and work in rural and remote areas,” Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young said in a statement. “Our government commends the municipalities, service organizations and businesses whose financial contributions made this landing pad possible.”

SHA Continuing Care Northwest Executive Director Neal Sylvestre said the new landing pad will provide added support for emergency health care service.

“While STARS has been serving Turtleford since 2016, its helicopters did not have a developed site at the health facility on which to land,” he said.

Sylvestre said the new solid surface of the landing pad will enable STARS helicopters to experience a better landing on a smoother ground surface. It will also reduce risks to patients, staff, and STARS personnel and equipment, as well as to the STARS helicopters themselves.

“We are deeply grateful to the Turtleford and District Lions Club for spearheading the project and providing significant financial support along with the former Riverside Ski Hill organization,” he said.

The Turtleford Lions Club members are also pleased to see the project is now complete.

Treasurer Red Pearce said Lions club members were concerned STARS helicopters wouldn’t always be able to land easily near the Turtleford health facility when ground conditions were not favourable due to inclement weather, when the idea for the project started.

“We extend our appreciation to the SHA, Riverside Health Complex, members of the former ski hill organization, and all of the businesses and individuals who stepped forward to support this important initiative,” he said.

The STARS air ambulance service has played a vital role in the Turtleford area community in providing rapid access to critical emergency health care service over the years.

The SHA reports STARS responded to Turtleford calls for support nine times in the past year, from April 2018 to March 2019.

In total, the service transported or provided care for 48 patients in Turtleford over the past seven years.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow