Victoria (BC Hydro) Heliport

The specific reason for closure was not publicly announced, as it was a private facility. However, it is widely understood to be the result of operational and economic changes within BC Hydro. Reasons likely include:
1. **Operational Consolidation:** BC Hydro consolidated its regional helicopter operations at the nearby, full-service Victoria International Airport (CYYJ), which is only a few kilometers away.
2. **Cost-Effectiveness:** It was no longer cost-effective to maintain and certify a dedicated heliport at the substation when flights could be conducted more efficiently from a central airport base.
3. **Changes in Technology:** The increased use of drones for infrastructure inspection may have reduced the need for frequent helicopter landings directly at the site.

The site is the location of the active BC Hydro Horsey Substation at 4200 Lochside Drive in Saanich, BC. Satellite imagery confirms that the physical helipad—a circular paved area marked with a faded 'H'—still exists on the western edge of the property, adjacent to the Patricia Bay Highway. However, the heliport is officially and permanently closed. It is no longer a registered aerodrome with Nav Canada and is not used for any routine aviation operations. The land's primary and sole use is as an electrical substation.

Victoria (BC Hydro) Heliport was a private heliport owned and operated by the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority. Its identifier, CA-1150, was a Canadian-specific code assigned by Nav Canada, not a standard international ICAO code. The heliport's sole purpose was to support operations at the critical Horsey Electrical Substation and the surrounding power grid on Southern Vancouver Island. Active operations included:
- Transporting specialized maintenance crews and time-sensitive equipment directly to the substation.
- Serving as a staging point for aerial patrols and inspections of high-voltage transmission lines in the region.
- Acting as an emergency landing zone for rapid response to major equipment failures or power outages.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The proximity and superior facilities of Victoria International Airport (CYYJ) make the reactivation of this small, single-pad heliport operationally redundant and economically unviable. BC Hydro and its contractors will continue to base their helicopter operations out of established regional airports.