The old Richmond Lions Manor seven-storey concrete tower will be demolished next month and a new, but temporary, 21-metre cell phone tower is planned for the site on Fentiman Place.
Rogers mobile customers living in Steveston will need the tower to maintain good wireless coverage in the area, according to the communications provider.
The current cell antennas sit atop the derelict building, which was closed last year with seniors requiring residential care moving to a renovated hotel in the Bridgeport area.
According to a development application from Rogers to the City of Richmond, the 21-metre tower will be in place up until December 2017, indicating a new facility could be built.
However, Vancouver Coastal Health, which operated and owned Lions Manor, could not tell the City of Richmond what exactly is in store for the site once the old building is demolished as it’s still in the planning stages.
“(City) staff will continue to try and work with VCH staff to determine the future plans for the site and inform Council accordingly,” noted a city staff report for the cell tower application.
According to a Rogers information pamphlet regarding the cell tower, the company seems to expect a new, equally tall building to replace the old Lions Manor.
“Once construction on the site is completed, Rogers will relocate the antennas back onto the new building rooftop in approximately three years time,” stated Rogers.
According to the city, residents in the area were consulted accordingly and the city received no complaints.
The cell tower will provide wireless coverage from Garry Point Park to No.2 Road and Williams Road.
Rogers notes it serves 3,000 user interactions per day and exchanges over 120 gigabytes of data. Coverage is also vital for 9-1-1 emergency calls.
The tower appears slim and inconspicuous according to artist renderings. It will be painted green to blend in with surrounding trees.
