While not actually planned for church property, the proximity to St. Ann’s Parish is enough to spark the ire of some Penetanguishenians who don’t want to see a cell tower hovering over it. Shared Tower Inc. has identified nearby Knight Haven Bowling Lanes as a desirable spot for a new 100-foot tower in the small Canadian town. As Simcoe.com reports, the plan to install a cell tower has not been popular with residents who feel that it will threaten the view of the imposing Victorian era church.
“By installing a telecommunications tower of any kind behind this historical and magnificent church, it will destroy its regal character and will also adversely impact the significant cultural and historical values and esthetics of our area — not just for the church, but also the views to and from Penetanguishene, the view from Georgian Bay Harbour and almost every other sight line in our area,” stated Michelle Vaillancourt, who has organized a petition against the telecommunications project.
“If Penetanguishene is [anything], it is history and it is beauty,” local historian David Dupuis told Simcoe.com. “To put a tower right butting up to the most historic and most beautiful building in town just shouldn’t be happening. It shouldn’t be considered.”
Renderings prepared by Shared Tower have confirmed that a cell tower at the selected location would be visible from a number of points in town, including to the right of the church’s spires if viewed from Rotary Champlain Wendat Park. In addition to the visual disturbance, local residents at a special council meeting in Penetanguishene voiced fears that a cell tower would threaten property values, present 5G health exposure, and challenge Christian values. Shared Tower did not comment on the extra charges.
Reader Interactions