The much-anticipated $22 million Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC) will open next spring, proponents announced Tuesday.
“Vancouver’s new seaplane facilities will create an atmosphere of comfort and service to further enhance the experience of Vancouver’s bustling seaplane industry,” said Graham Clarke, chairman of the VHFC and president and owner of the Clarke Group of Companies.
“Increased traffic and passenger preferences will support new flight destinations, enabling better access to B.C.’s coastal regions. This will help stimulate business and tourism sectors throughout the province.”
The development will include approximately 18 new seaplane slips and replace the temporary facilities currently in place north of the Vancouver Convention Centre in Coal Harbour.
The Clarke Group and Ledcor Group of Companies have formed a partnership to build the new facility.
The proponents said the VHFC would occupy 600 square metres of the convention centre and include ticketing counters, baggage and cargo handling and a passenger lounge. The facility will also include 400 square metres of retail, food and office space.
The project has been on the books for some time, but was delayed due to merger negotiations between Harbour Air Seaplanes and West Coast Air and lease arrangements between the airlines and VHFC (See “Heavy harbour air turbulence” – issue 1036; September 1-7, 2009 and “Harbour floatplane plan stalled” – issue 1068; April 13-19).
In July, the City of Vancouver gave the temporary facility a two-year operations extension until a permanent facility could be built (See “Downtown Vancouver floatplane terminal gets two-year reprieve” – issue 1080; July 6 to 12).