Huntsville to Spend $15K on Florence Street Communication Tower Review

Staff had originally advised that a new tower would cost $750,000

Huntsville Council agreed to spend $15K on a Florence Street Communication Tower Review, in the March 23, 2026, meeting.

The staff request for the review came after Council previously deferred a decision on replacing the tower in a special meeting on March 13. During the meeting staff were directed to explore co-location options and potential financial support through the Muskoka Community Land Trust (MCLT).

A prior tender for reconstruction of the tower exceeded the approved $500,000 budget, prompting staff to seek an additional $250,000 earlier this month. Council instead asked for alternative options, including co-location and outside funding opportunities.

According to the staff report, the proposed review would involve a structural audit of the tower to determine whether it can accommodate the Town's operational and emergency services communication equipment.

The tower currently supports critical communications infrastructure, including fire and public works radio systems, links to Barrie dispatch, and connections to key municipal facilities such as the Canada Summit Centre, Fire Station 1, the Huntsville Library, and Town Hall.

Staff note that while communication technology continues to evolve, emergency radio systems are expected to remain largely stable and dependent on tower infrastructure for the foreseeable future.

The report also highlights uncertainty around future co-location opportunities, as changes in cellular technology and tower placement could limit available space.

Staff reported that while MCLT has expressed interest in supporting tower relocation or replacement, funding timelines remain unclear.

They added that the cost of the audit would be funded through the Town's IT Reserve and added to the 2026 operating budget.

Staff continued that the review would help determine whether co-location is a viable and cost-effective alternative to building a new tower.

Once completed, the results of the audit will be brought back to Council with recommendations on next steps and any additional costs.

Mayor, Nancy Alcock, clarified that once the audit is completed, they can discuss the possibilities further.