Editor: I would like to add my voice to those very seriously disturbed by the helicopter noise in Canmore.
It is to the detriment of whole communities such as Cougar Creek, south Canmore, Three Sisters and others for the benefit of a relative few.
Alpine Helicopters is world-renowned for its skill and safety record in extremely difficult search and rescue operations, medivacs, avalanche control and, as was clear this summer – fire fighting. These contexts are not the issue.
As others have pointed out, it is the scenic flights from the current heliport that are so problematic – the frequency and number of short sight-seeing tours are just too much, and have been for years.
Helicopters (Alpine and others) are taking off, landing and flying in close succession so the noise is usually continuous and unrelenting.
It may help the community when some of the flights move to Stoney Nakoda. Alpine’s business director is not saying all such flights will leave Canmore, so unless other changes are made, the noise will continue.
Even though some flights have apparently already been moved, our neighbourhood in South Canmore has not noticed any reduction in the helicopter noise this summer and fall. I agree with previous letters to the Outlook that the site of the heliport must be moved for there to be noticeable improvement in the noise.
I believe these issues are very important for the helicopter companies and the Town of Canmore to address. I realize the Town does not have control over Alpine’s business practices, but at the upcoming lease negotiations, it will have the perfect opportunity to address these issues.
These negotiations will also provide Alpine the opportunity to make voluntary positive changes to its operations.
Joan Patterson,
Canmore
