Construction of New Helipad Begins at SMH
October 14, 2025
Construction of a new helipad is now underway at Stevenson Memorial Hospital (SMH), which is slated to be in operation in early 2026. Preliminary Early Works construction has been underway at SMH since the beginning of the year as they prepare for the construction of a new hospital facility. One of the first permanent structures that will be a part of the hospital’s redevelopment is a new elevated helipad.
“This is one of the most exciting elements of our early works construction and a critical one at that,” says Wayne Willcott, Senior Director, Corporate Infrastructure and Redevelopment, SMH. “The new helipad construction is underway now to ensure that we have seamless access to air ambulance services during the construction of our new hospital facility, prioritizing emergency patient care services. It will remain as a permanent structure at the hospital for many years to come.”
The new 71-foot-wide helipad has an innovative design, as it is elevated up to three feet off the ground. This will be one of the only of its kind in Ontario, with other similar designs used in western Canada. Once construction is complete, it will undergo a certification process by Transportation Canada to ensure all safety standards are met before it is used for patient transport.
The helipad’s new location on the southeast side of the hospital’s property will open up space for additional parking in the future, while improving flight safety during windy conditions. The helipad and pathway will have direct access to the hospital and will be heated in cold temperatures to improve safety and accessibility during the winter months.
SMH is embarking on a journey to redevelop, revitalize and expand with a new 147,100 square-foot facility that will wrap around the current hospital building. More than doubling the size of the hospital, it will increase inpatient capacity by 20 per cent offering all single occupancy rooms, triple the size of the Emergency Department, revitalize diagnostic imaging with a new MRI suite, enhance surgical capacity with state-of-the-art operating rooms, include a bright, new obstetrics department and more - allowing people and families to access the care they need, close to home. Construction of the new facility is anticipated to begin in 2026.