The Town of New Tecumseth has plans to build a new 200-foot, free-standing communications tower in Beeton to replace the current 96-foot tower on the Depot 2 site located on the 7th Line.
The current tower needs to be removed as it is now at the end of its planned life expectancy due to its age and outdated design.
It has also been determined that the current height does not allow communication equipment to broadcast to some areas in the town due to the region’s hilly topography.
The current tower holds communication equipment that serves a "vital role" for the citizens of New Tecumseth.
The fire department uses this tower as its main point of communication for contact with the regional emergency dispatch centre in Barrie. Additionally, this communication tower assists the fire department in achieving radio contact between fire personnel located throughout the town.
The Public Works Department also relies on the communications device located on the tower to transmit signals between the water treatment plants and the various town offices.
The town will be installing a new, 200-foot, free-standing tower on this same site.
The new tower will be farther back from the road and will contain the same communication equipment in order to continue providing essential communication services.
The taller height of this new tower will increase communication coverage within the town and eliminate current gaps in coverage.
Construction of the new tower is expected to begin in May or June of this year.
Brian Lockhart is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter with the New Tecumseth Times. LJI is a federally funded program.