STARS Air Ambulance unveiled its new helicopter in Saskatoon on Wednesday. Photo courtesy CJWW.

It was a memorable sight for those attending the unveiling of Saskatchewan’s first new STARS ambulance for the organization’s renewed fleet on Wednesday. The Airbus H145 flew to the hangar to the sounds of the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and an audience of supporters, former patients, government representatives and volunteers. So far, there are three new helicopters in the fleet across the STARS bases in western Canada.

Last summer, STARS announced it would be renewing its fleet and began its fundraising campaign. CEO Andrea Robertson said each of the nine helicopters costs around $13-million. Three of those helicopters will be based in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan government was the first to offer its support at $13-million. The Alberta and Manitoba governments also donated and the federal government invested $65-million.

Robertson estimates they are 70 per cent of the way to the $117-million goal.

She explained that their aging fleet is 35 years old, adding they are not made anymore and you can’t get parts for them.

(CJWW)