Chicoutimi (Hydro-Québec) Heliport

The closure was due to a change in the operational and logistical needs of its owner, Hydro-Québec. Such closures are typically driven by economic and efficiency reasons, including:
1. **Consolidation of Services:** Centralizing helicopter operations at a larger, regional airport (like the nearby Saguenay-Bagotville Airport, CYBG) is often more cost-effective than maintaining numerous small, single-purpose helipads.
2. **Shift to On-Demand Services:** Hydro-Québec may have shifted from maintaining its own dedicated heliport to contracting helicopter services on an as-needed basis from third-party operators.
3. **Changes in Maintenance Strategy:** Advances in ground-based maintenance, drone technology for inspections, or improved road access may have reduced the necessity for frequent helicopter access to this specific substation.

The heliport is permanently closed and fully decommissioned. An analysis of the site at the provided coordinates (48.400001525879, -71.116897583008) using satellite imagery confirms it is located within the secure perimeter of the Hydro-Québec Chicoutimi electrical substation. The former helipad, a paved square area, is still visible but lacks any aviation markings. The site is now repurposed and used as a general-purpose paved area for vehicle parking, equipment staging, and material storage for the substation's ongoing operations.

The Chicoutimi (Hydro-Québec) Heliport was a private aviation facility with a specific industrial purpose. Its historical significance is tied directly to the maintenance and operation of Québec's vast hydroelectric power grid. When active, its operations were critical for:
- **Infrastructure Support:** Serving as a base for helicopters transporting personnel, tools, and specialized equipment for the construction, maintenance, and repair of the adjacent 'Poste de Chicoutimi'—a major electrical substation—and the high-voltage transmission lines in the rugged Saguenay region.
- **Aerial Inspection:** Facilitating routine aerial patrols and inspections of power lines and towers to identify potential faults, damage from weather, or vegetation encroachment.
- **Emergency Response:** Enabling rapid deployment of crews and equipment during emergencies, such as power outages caused by severe ice storms or equipment failure, ensuring quicker restoration of service.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening this heliport. Given that it was a specialized facility tied to specific operational needs that have since changed, its reactivation is highly improbable. Should Hydro-Québec require helicopter support in this specific area in the future, it would be more practical and economical to use services based at nearby airports or to establish a temporary landing zone if a major project warranted it.