The Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital of Lehighton received approval from the Lehighton Planning Commission last night to install a heliport on the hospital’s property.

The 100-square-foot landing site would be used to accommodate the MedEvac of the helicopter transport service based at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Hospital officials estimated the cost of about $10,000 to construct the site. The pad will be set up so helicopters can land and depart from the north side of the hospital so they will not fly over any houses in the vicinity.

When the pad is ready for use, the helicopter will no longer have to land on the Lehighton Area High School football field.