A landmark that has defined the Smiths Falls skyline for more than a century is now one step closer to disappearing. A special committee of council voted on June 29 to move with demolishing the town’s historic water tower after deciding not to pursue further engineering studies into whether it could be preserved. Mayor Shawn Pankow said in a social media post that the decision was made “with a degree of regret,” but council concluded the cost of preserving the structure could not be justified. “The iconic 1924 water tower, that has been a focal point in our community for over a century, will not be preserved,” Pankow posted. The tower served the town’s water storage needs for 101 years before being taken out of service late last year. Town staff estimated demolition would cost about $375,000, while a 2024 engineering investigation estimated rehabilitation at more than $2.4 million. Councillor Jay Brennan says the structure has deteriorated over time, was leaking, and was too small to meet the community’s current and growing needs. “No one took the decision lightly. I’ve grown up here and it’s obviously been here since I’ve been around,” he says. “But it’s past its lifetime and to maintain and have it shorted up was cost prohibitive. We have a $13 million project on the other side of town with a new water tower and a trunk line going into it. It is six times the capacity of the old one. That is the investment for the next hundred years.” The riveted steel water tower, located in Centennial Park along the Rideau Canal, was built in 1924 and has long been one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks. Longtime resident Bob McGrath says the tower holds memories beyond its role in the community’s infrastructure. “That’s where, as teenagers, we all parked our cars and made out with the girls,” McGrath said with a laugh. “It’s a shame to see it go but times are a changing. And in case it falls to you, don’t want it to fall on somebody. Taxes are high enough so keeping it wouldn’t really help.” Another long-time resident, Richard Burrows, says the tower has been part of the community for as long as he can remember. “I went to kindergarten here more than 70 years ago and this is a landmark that’s been here as long as I can remember,” he said. “But things change and you can’t get nostalgic for everything.” Pankow says removing the old tower could create additional park space in Centennial Park and provide an opportunity to better showcase the nearly 200-year-old stone arch dam, built during construction of the Rideau Canal. The committee’s recommendation still requires final approval from council. No timeline has been announced for the tower’s demolition.
