By Brittney Matejka

Can-West fixed-wing air ambulance hangar ready ahead of schedule.

Mar 15, 2018 | 5:20 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – Can-West Corporate Air Charters has confirmed their new hangar at the Medicine Hat Airport will be ready for fixed-wing air ambulance service prior to the April 1st deadline.

The project was approved by city council on December 18, 2017. Mayor Ted Clugston said he previously had doubts the project would be completed in time.

“Well I have to admit I was a skeptic,” he said. “I even did a couple media interviews saying I would be absolutely amazed if they had it finished on time, so I give them credit.”

Jake Fehr, CEO of Can-West said the less than three month construction timeline even exceeded the company’s expectations.

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“It looks like we are done the hangar,” he said. “We had Christmas and New Years in between plus an extremely cold winter.”

Fehr said they have already hired eight pilots and an air craft mechanic.

“Some are relocating and we are hiring right out of the city of Medicine Hat,” he said.

There are some minor finishing touches to be completed on the hangar, Fehr said. The fix wing air ambulance air craft will be arriving in Medicine Hat next week.

“On March 23rd it should arrive,” he said. “We should be able to back it into the hangar at that time.”

Clugston said he is looking forward to seeing the new hangar.

“I’ve heard that they have amazing planes,” he said. “I talked to some of the paramedics, they are quite excited about the planes they are going to be providing and that will hopefully be great service for Medicine Hat.”

The city will benefit from $18,750 annually in rent, fees and taxes from the Can-West hangar. They have the space leased for the next 10 years.