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North Winnipeg Antenna System Project
Update – February 2018
The City of Winnipeg (the City) must relocate an existing antenna system from its current location at the North End Pollution Water Control Centre (NEWPCC) at 2230 Main St. Although the City withdrew its previous application in summer 2016, the project is being renewed to accommodate for the future expansion of the NEWPCC.
The site previously identified for its relocation near the intersection of Ferrier Road and Murray Street is no longer being considered. The City is now proposing the tower be located on City-owned property northwest of the current tower location, between Ferrier Street and the rail line (see Maps for more information). This new proposed location has a smaller impact on nearby residential developments, while meeting all other required criteria.
Pending proposal approval, it is anticipated that construction of the new antenna system will now begin in the spring/summer 2019, and the existing antenna system will be decommissioned in 2019 to accommodate the future expansion of the North End Water Pollution Control Centre.
The City of Winnipeg (the City) must relocate an existing antenna system used by a number of City departments, located at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC) at 2230 Main St. to accommodate the future expansion of the NEWPCC. To ensure there are no gaps in coverage, the proposed new antenna system must be built in the vicinity of the existing antenna system prior to its decommissioning.
A proposed, lower, 120 meters tall antenna system will be constructed, pending Winnipeg Antenna Systems Policy approval of the City’s proposal.
Nearby City-owned property located west of the NEWPCC is being proposed as the antenna system’s new location.
The proposed antenna site is pending approval by the Planning, Property and Development Department as per the Winnipeg Antenna System Policy. Pending proposal approval, it is anticipated that construction of the new antenna system will begin in the spring/summer 2019, and the existing antenna system will be decommissioned in 2019.
- Background
- Timeline
- Documents
- Engage
- FAQs
- Maps
- Related Links
Background
The City must remove an existing antenna system, used by a number of City departments, located at 2230 Main St., to accommodate the future expansion of the NEWPCC.
To ensure there are no gaps in coverage, a proposed new antenna system must be built in the vicinity of the existing antenna system prior to its decommissioning. This will allow time for the migration of equipment and testing. The City’s proposal is pending approval by Winnipeg Antenna Systems Policy. Pending proposal approval, it is anticipated that construction of the new antenna system will begin in the spring/summer 2019, and the existing antenna system will be decommissioned in 2019.
Site Development and Description
The proposed antenna system is a 120 meters tall, triangular, metal lattice structure. Each face of the antenna system will be approximately one meter (39 inches). The antenna system will be painted with alternating sections of orange and white in compliance with all Transport Canada regulations.
The antenna system will be equipped with lights as required by the Canadian Aviation regulations. The lights will be installed with shields to limit their visibility from nearby residences. A fenced compound will enclose the equipment shelter at the base of the antenna system. The locked compound will be equipped with motion-activated lighting and a video surveillance system. The antenna system will be supported by three sets of guy wires. Each guy anchor point will be surrounded by a security fence to prevent access or accidental contact with the guy system.
Access to the antenna system and fenced compound will be via the NEWPCC site only. Vehicle and pedestrian access to the site from Ferrier Street is not being contemplated at this time.
As depicted in the graphic, the proposed antenna system will have a set of three vertical whip antennas installed near the top, and three communications antennas and three microwave dishes will be installed along the side of the structure.
This proposal does not have any environmental impact.
HSC-6 Attestation
The City of Winnipeg, as the proponent of the installation, attests that the radio installation described in this information package will be installed and operated on an ongoing basis so as to comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6, as may be amended from time to time, for the protection of the general public, including any combined effects of nearby installations within the local radio environment.
Design & Construction Attestation
The City of Winnipeg further attests that the radio communication installation described in this notification package will be designed, installed and operated on an ongoing basis following good engineering practices including structural adequacy.
Documents
Document Name | Date | Type |
---|---|---|
Information session invite | 2016-05-24 | Community Letter |
Canstar Times Advertisement | 2016-05-25 | Newspaper Ad |
Information session storyboards | 2016-06-07 | Storyboard |
Information session storyboards | 2018-02-09 | Storyboard |
Canstar Newspaper ad | 2018-01-12 | Advertisement |
Information session invitation | 2018-01-11 | Invitation |
Engage
Thank you for your interest in this project, the window for providing feedback on this project has now closed.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at a public information session on February 15, 2018 at the Red River Community Centre. An online comment form was also available on this site from January 12, 2018 - February 15, 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
The North Winnipeg Antenna System is part of a network of 3 others used to provide city-wide communications for City departments. Each antenna system helps to ensure radio communications coverage reaches all corners of the City. This North Winnipeg Antenna System provides coverage across the northern part of Winnipeg.
The proposed location is deemed the most suitable for various reasons, including:
- The property is owned by the City;
- Provides required coverage throughout north Winnipeg;
- Minimizes the impact on nearby residential development;
- Accommodates future expansion of Chief Peguis Trail and related re-routing of Ferrier Street;
- Does not interfere with Winnipeg Richardson International Airport’s designated flight paths;
- Locations further east would result in diminished radio communications coverage in western Winnipeg; and
- No suitable communications towers or buildings of suitable height are available in the required area.
The City previously identified a site near the intersection of Ferrier Street and Murray Road in 2016 – this site is no longer being considered. After further review, it was determined that the new proposed location has a smaller impact on nearby residential developments, while meeting all other required criteria.
The higher the antenna system, the greater the communications range. The antenna system in the proposed location will be approximately 50 feet shorter than the current antenna system.
The proposed antenna system is not likely to have any material effect.
The antenna system and guy anchors will be surrounded by security fencing to protect the structures as well as prevent the general public from coming into contact with the guy wires. Shields will be incorporated into the design to prevent red marker beacons at the top and midway points of the antenna system from being visible from nearby residences. The site will be landscaped with crushed gravel incorporating a weed barrier to keep the site clean and free of vegetation.
An 8 foot high security fence will be installed around the base of the antenna system and the equipment shelter. Similar fences will be installed around each of the 3 guy anchors. Access to the site will only be possible via the NEWPCC site which provides restricted access to authorized personnel only.
A motion controlled yard light will be installed at the shelter as well.
A taller antenna system raises the transmitted energy to safe heights and ensures compliance with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 (2015) guidelines, Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3kHz to 300GHz.
Antenna System Map - Murray Avenue and Ferrier Street is being proposed as the antenna system’s location.
Related Links
- City of Winnipeg Antenna Systems Policy
- Health Canada Safety Code 6
- Industry Canada’s Radio Communication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems
- For general information relating to Antenna Systems please refer to Industry Canada’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.