In the November 29, 2022, Lake of Bays Council meeting, an application for a 60-metre Roger’s telecommunication tower was approved for the township.

The self-supported structure is proposed to be located 120 metres east from the access point of vacant private land off Highway 35 from Livingston Lane, and to have a beacon with horizontal white lights flashing during the day and a red light at night.

The tower will provide improved wireless network coverage within the township, particularly in the Sea Breeze Road and Birkendale area, including wireless voice and data services.

The structure is 135 metres away from the closest residential dwelling, and the access point off Highway 35 will include maintenance, such as tree brushing for safety of site lines.

The agreement includes a limited amount of tree removal and a slot on the tower for the township in case there is a need for use, such as for the fire department or Public Works Department.

According to the Network Overview (Eastern Ontario Regional Network – EORN), “This site is a part of a $300 million partnership between Rogers, Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario and EORN to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable wireless connectivity across Eastern Ontario.”

The Overview continues, “Through this partnership Roger’s will deliver mobile connectivity to 113 municipalities and Indigenous communities in Eastern Ontario by building more than 300 new cellular towers and upgrading over 300 existing sites by 2025.”

The goal is reliable and continuous coverage, providing the ability to move freely through the network, maintaining calls and data messaging, including restoring continuous coverage in gap areas.

Given the number of residents indicated in the Overview, Councillor, Rick Brooks, asked, “This is being built for 52 people?”   The applicant replied, saying “we will be serving a much greater number of people” “I would hate to estimate but I would say hundreds”