Why Our Terminal Works for Our Future

An improved transit hub with more possible connections for passengers

  • For the first time ever, passengers will be able to choose and move between air, water, train, bus, bicycle, taxi and other forms of travel, all joined to the same hub. Passengers will now be able to travel straight from a Vancouver Island or gulf island community, via the Canada Line,
    to YVR and international destinations — all protected under cover. Air and marine transportation operators can also connect the Vancouver Harbour to Seattle, using one customs terminal and a YVR check-in point.
  • The integration of passenger services will allow for special scheduling on some routes, for example, accommodating late sporting and arts and culture events for those travelling from Vancouver Island and/or the Gulf Islands.

Improved connectivity, convenience and accessibility for all passengers

  • The Harbour Hub will be easily accessible and will offer tourists and commuters seamless connections to the regional transportation network. Whenever our West Coast weather interrupts travel, the Harbour Hub will provide convenient access to alternative modes of transport in and out of the harbour. A multi-modal terminal means passengers have access to immediate alternatives. Operators will work together to facilitate transfers. It will be service at its best.

Improved quality of life for residents

  • The quality of life for residents along the harbour shore will improve. While seaplanes do not cause any noticeable noise during taxiing, the noise associated with takeoffs and landings will be moved out into the industrial zone, away from any nearby residents. The primary seaplane landing and take-off zone is currently located 500 meters from residential buildings; the proposed facility will increase this distance to 900 meters.

Easier coordination of traffic patterns between air and marine traffic

  • The Harbour Hub!s multi-modal terminal would become the new site for all seaplane operators, reducing traffic coordination to one place. The VCSOA has passed multiple, unanimous motions to pursue this terminal east of Canada Place. All are in agreement it is the preferred site from which to operate their businesses.

Lowest-possible fares for passengers and a better deal for the seaplane industry

  • A shared terminal, operated on a not-for-profit basis, eliminates unnecessary development and operational costs. It also introduces new economies of scale, allowing the possibility of integrated reservation systems, staff support, and maintenance/repair and ongoing capital investment in facilities.

Revitalization and integration with existing and future land uses

  • The Harbour Hub would contribute to the revitalization of the central waterfront area and benefit surrounding businesses and communities. New access for passengers, tourists and the public will bring attention to the area while maintaining the flexibility for future development. The Harbour Hub will be designed to respect and protect the nature of the existing neighbourhoods.

Revenues to Port Metro Vancouver

  • Approximately 350,000 seaplane passengers travel through Vancouver Harbour annually which, added to existing Helijet passengers, will provide a significant stream of revenue to the Port.
  • The Port will also benefit from other new revenue streams from the Harbour Hub, including food and beverage facilities as well as other uses of the new terminal space.

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  • Timeline

    • - VHFC Development Chronology Feb 2003 – The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (VCCEP) makes its application to the Environmental Assessment Office for approval. Harbour Air, West Coast Air, and Baxter Aviation are given notice that they will have to move from the site and build temporary facilitities. The companies cover the $2M costs to relocate. …
    • Feb 2011 - On February 15, 2011 VCSOA submits their application to the Port for a new floatplane terminal on the east side of Canada Place.
    • Feb 2003 - The Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion Project (VCCEP) makes its application to the Environmental Assessment Office for approval. Harbour Air, West Coast Air, and Baxter Aviation are given notice that they will have to move from the site and build temporary facilitities. The companies cover the $2M costs to relocate.
    • July 2004 - VCCEP construction given green light to proceed.
    • Fall 2004 - VCCEP holds consultations regarding the future bid opportunity for the commercial shell space, the water lots for use as a marina and seaplane terminal, and the parking space. The seaplane terminal is intended to be a common use facility open to all operators.
    • April 2005 - VCCEP issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to four developers who had early been selected under an expression of interest process for the commercial opportunities. VCCEP states that they prefer to enter into a long- term lease with a master developer for all commercial components together.
    • May 2005 - PCI Properties Corp (PCI) is selected as the successful proponent. Harbour Air and West Coast Air initially review PCI proposal for the floatplane terminal but make it clear to VCCEP and government that a single developer would have a monopoly position that could give the developer an unfair advantage in negotiating fees and rents. The …
    • Feb 2006 - At the request of the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, VCCEP reviews the issue through a Floatplane Terminal Advisory Group. The advisory committee considers the options.
    • - The Group estimates that the terminal can be constructed for approximately $11M and that passenger fees can therefore be kept to a reasonable level. The report recommends VCCEP continue with the original RFP outcome.
    • April 2008 - The provincial government eliminates VCCEP as a Crown Corporation and hands its responsibilities to the BC Pavilion Corporation (PAVCO).
    • 2006- 2010 - The floatplane operators attempt resolve issues on design plans, costs and other operational issues with the developer. In the Spring of 2010, Seaplane operators agree to reduce by one-third the scope of the terminal design in order to reduce costs. The developer’s proposed lease terms remain the same.
    • May 2010 - PAVCO signs a waterlot lease with the private developer Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC) for the construction and operation of a floatplane terminal and marina at the Convention Centre, having previously approved the transfer of the opportunity from PCI to VHFC.
    • May 2010 - In the absence of a clear lease terms from VHFC, Harbour Air and West Coast Air write to the developer to propose basic lease terms, and to express concern about the developer’s terminal design.
    • May 2010 - The developer responds with a proposal for lease rates that equates to a $24 per passenger fee for a return flight–$12 for taking off and $12 for landing.
    • May 2010 - The floatplane operators form an association for the purposes of communicating their concerns with one voice.
    • May 2010 - The floatplane operators together write to the developer with one coordinated proposal for fair and reasonable commercial lease terms for all users.
    • Jun 2010 - The developer proposes commercial terms for all carriers reiterating charges equivalent to $24 per passenger for a return flight–$12 for taking off and $12 for landing. The proposed fee would change with passenger volumes.
    • - Seaplane operators reject the fees as unwarranted and unreasonable.  Seaplane operators repeat a request for the developer to identify previous development costs relating to the proposed marina and remove them from costs being allocated against the seaplane facility.
    • Jun 2010 - The City of Vancouver approves an extension of the temporary seaplane facility located west of the Convention Centre for an additional two years, or until the developer’s terminal is built.
    • Sep 2010 - The developer publicly announces a $22 million harbour development that will include new seaplane docks and terminal facilities.
    • Oct 2010 - Seaplane operators write again to the developer to ask whether new lease terms are under development, having not heard from the developer in over three months.
    • Oct 2010 - Seaplane operators write to PAVCO expressing serious concerns with the state of discussions, the terminal design, and the proposed lease terms. Seaplane operators insist that PAVCO honour its own lease commitment to ensure a prudent design and commercially reasonable terms.
    • Dec 2010 - In a Globe and Mail interview, the developer again speaks to a proposed landing fee of $12 per passenger.
    • Dec 2010 - VCSOA writes to Port Metro Vancouver to propose a new Harbour Hub terminal on the eastern side of Canada Place.