Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH) in Alliston opened its new elevated helipad on Wednesday.
It is the first major component of the hospital's redevelopment project to be completed.
The new helipad is 68 feet wide and rises 12 feet above the ground at its highest point.
SMH officials said the design is unique in Ontario.
The new helipad is designed to improve emergency air ambulance access while providing a safer and more reliable experience for patients, physicians, hospital staff, and flight crews.
“Today marks a significant milestone not only for our redevelopment project, but for the future of patient care at Stevenson Memorial Hospital," says Deepak Sharma, President and CEO of SMH. "Our new elevated helipad strengthens our ability to connect patients with life-saving care when every second counts. The enhanced safety features, improved operational reliability, and increased accessibility support better outcomes for patients while creating a safer environment for our healthcare teams and Ornge."
The helipad has an integrated heating system to prevent snow and ice from accumulating during the winter, eliminating the need for manual snow removal.
Stevenson says the heated surface will improve safety for landing crews, physicians, and staff during challenging weather conditions.
The elevated design also gives air ambulance pilots greater flexibility when responding to changing wind patterns, allowing them to adjust flight paths and approaches.
The helipad was moved from the hospital's upper parking lot, creating additional parking spaces.
“This new helipad is a tangible sign of the progress underway at Stevenson Memorial Hospital,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “For years, this community has worked toward a modern, expanded hospital that can meet the needs of a growing region. It is exciting to see that vision taking shape, and I am grateful to the entire Stevenson team and our community partners for their continued commitment to delivering exceptional care close to home.”
The helipad is part of Stevenson's larger redevelopment project, which will deliver a healthcare facility more than twice the size of the current hospital.
The redevelopment also includes an Emergency Department three times its current size.
The new hospital facility is expected to be completed in late 2028.
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