Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
The village of Lion’s Head may experience improved cellphone service by spring of 2027 stated Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) Fire Chief Jack Burt during an interview. Signum Wireless Towers Inc. planned to install a 148ft (45m) cell tower last year, but the project was pushed to 2027.
Signum Wireless now intends to install the tower by the end of 2026 with work commencing in late October. The Fire Chief emphasized that there have been many delays in the project so far and “hopefully there are no more.”
The tower will be located behind the Lion’s Head Fire Hall at 90 Main Street. An existing triangular steel tower will be replaced by a 25% larger pole-shaped tower that will colour match the skyline, green on the bottom and blue towards the top to blend in with the background, explained the Fire Chief.
A 2021 agreement between MNBP and Signum Wireless Towers Inc. stipulates that Signum Wireless will pay the MNBP $12,000 plus HST annually starting on the construction date. The agreement expires ten years after this date.
The tower will house communications equipment for Rogers, Bell and Telus mobile networks which should “greatly improve cellphone reception in the Lion’s Head area” said Fire Chief Burt. The company is anticipating better cellphone service by spring 2027, hopefully sooner.
The agreement also allows MNBP to install emergency communication equipment on the tower for free while bringing three major telecom providers directly into the village.
The Fire Chief described the current cellphone service situation as “problematic” for both residents and visitors. However, he expects the new tower installation will “greatly improve” reception throughout Lion’s Head and main areas like the Lion’s Head Provincial Park where emergency communications are vital for safety purposes and rescue operations.
