After more than 18 months of work, the new Cromwell Emergency Helipad has been opened in a ceremony attended by organisations who helped contribute to the project.
On Friday, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley cut the ribbon officially opening the facility and spoke of the importance of the rescue helicopter to the district.
Mrs Alley called the helipad a lifeline connecting Central Otago to the hospital in Dunedin.
"It is wonderful to have a facility like this here in Cromwell."
The new helipad meant helicopters could land near refuelling facilities and could load patients in stretchers on a smooth concrete surface instead of a patch of grass filled with rabbit holes.
Cromwell Lions helipad committee convener Pete Moen said he had been told by one of the rescue pilots about the poor conditions at the northern end of the Cromwell Airfield.
The Lions formed a working committee in January 2024 and investigated the options as well as the cost of building a helipad at the airfield.
A budget of $83,000 was calculated, most of the cost of which was for specialised aviation lights and a windsock.
The lights allow operations during night and day.
"Time went on, and various contractors and suppliers in the community came out of the woodwork ... offering their assistance ... and that’s just been tremendous," Mr Moen said.
Mr Moen thanked all the organisations who contributed supplies and labour to the project as well as those who donated.
Also speaking at the opening was Cromwell local Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust flight paramedic David Anderson, who spoke of the importance of the new helipad, which makes it easier for crews to transfer patients from ambulance to helicopter.
"That northern end of the runway here, it was a lifeline, but it was full of holes, rabbit holes, and dusty at times — and quite difficult for us to transfer someone who’s got bone fractures or other conditions."
The new helipad made things better for everyone, including his back, he joked.
"It’s so great to see that once again, when help’s needed, to help keep providing these critical services, that the community comes together and is able to help us do these things."
