Plans continue toward installation of helicopter landing pads at both the Sunrise Health Centre in Yorkton and the hospital in Canora.

The two facilities will facilitate emergency air lift services on site by recently acquired provincial helicopters.

The cost of the two pads are being cost shared with the province, with the local Sunrise Health Region responsible for 20 per cent of the costs, explained Lorelei Stusek Vice-president of Corporate Services with SHR at its regular board meeting Thursday in Yorkton.

The actual cost of the pads is being estimated at $260,000, she said.

Board member Janet Hill told the meeting in Canora the 20 per cent in local funding was being provided through the Town of Canora.

At the health centre in Yorkton the costs are significantly higher, by an estimated $500,000, explained Stusek.

The pad itself will have a similar cost, but the Health Centre itself will require an elevator to serve the pad, and the costs associated with the renovation are estimated at $500,000, she said.

Hill said in Yorkton the Sunrise Health Foundation is taking on raising the 20 per cent local contribution.

The target to have the pads operational is June 2013, said Stusek, with work beginning in spring.

“Plans are being worked on for as soon as spring thaw hits,” she said.