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CREDIT: Global BC Float planes will dock about 250 metres west of their current location during the construction of the new Vancouver convention centre.
Approval has been granted to three float-plane companies to temporarily relocate their terminals to Coal Harbour.
The move was made necessary because of planned construction on the Vancouver convention centre. That expansion project is expected to take three years to complete.
The airlines insist they will not have to alter their flight paths as a result of the move, but the decision has angered many living in the area.
Residents packed a meeting of the Vancouver permit board Tuesday night.
“Those noise levels are injurious to your ears,” said one resident.
“They are unbearable when you’re in your apartment. You can’t talk, you can’t watch TV. It’s irritating, and it is mentally destructive.”
The move would position the terminal about 250 metres west of its current location near Canada Place.
After seven hours of discussion, the permit board sided with the airlines, West Coast Air, Harbour Air and Baxter Air.
© Global BC 2004