Our History

The Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (VHFC) was born from a vision to transform Coal Harbour for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. 

The facility was designed by aviation experts to be the permanent home for Vancouver’s float plane operators. Prior to its inception, these operators navigated around Coal Harbour between various temporary docks. 

A joint venture partnership between the Clarke Group of Companies and the Ledcor Group of Companies, the resulting float plane passenger terminal is LEED certified and was built to meet the stringent design specifications provided by the BC Pavilion Corporation (PAVCO) and the City of Vancouver.

The facility boasts a number of innovative design features, such as a self-contained, state-of-the-art secure fueling system, environmentally friendly floating docks, and a fully accessible public glass elevator to allow people to transfer from the lower level of the famous Vancouver Seawall to the upper level at Jack Poole Plaza, home of the 2010 Olympic Cauldron. 

The VHFC won an international MARKET interior design award for hospitality interiors in 2013 (MCM Design).

The final result is a facility that complements Vancouver’s Convention Center and waterscape while continuing to support the economic vitality of Canada’s busiest working harbour.