Saanich will be placing a new communications tower at the PKOLS (Mount Douglas) summit. The current tower must be replaced due to aging infrastructure and new federal regulatory standards that come into effect in 2025. The tower is a critical component of public safety and cell phone communications in the region.

Replacement Process

An RFP was issued for replacement of the tower, which will be required to be heavier and larger, but still fall within current zoning bylaws and requirements for height. 

While the specific location of the replacement tower has not yet been finalized, we are exploring an area within the vicinity of the existing tower location. In addition to logistical, installation, future maintenance safety, and cost considerations, a key component of selecting the location of the replacement tower will be minimizing environmental impacts that would be necessary for construction such as blasting, tree removal and importation of non-native material. The Request for Proposal (RFP) award is for design and build of the tower, and additional technical work is required through the design phase to confirm the best location. 

Next Steps

Ongoing project updates related to factors including environmental impact, project safety, scope of work, and cost will continue to be posted as they are available. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding.