Winnipeg neighbourhood residents ‘miffed’ about proposed cell tower

Some homeowners in Westwood are communicating strong feelings against a cell tower planned for the area. CTV’s Jeff Keele reports.

A plan to add a cell phone tower in a Westwood neighbourhood has some residents concerned.

Patricia Chegus lives right next door to a bus stop on Rouge Road in Westwood. She’s not on board with what’s planned for the grass area in the bus loop.

“It’s quite an eyesore, we’re also miffed about the location because it’s in the bus loop,” she said.

Shared Tower, a telecommunications infrastructure company, is proposing a 25-metre tall, 5G cellular tower, with multiple antennas, for the middle of the loop.

It’s not sitting well with Chegus and some of her neighbours, including Harry Dyck who lives directly across the street.

“Of all the places you think they could put something,” said Dyck. “You know it’s going to cast a shadow right onto our own yard.”

Dozens have signed a petition to stop the installation of the tower. They worry it will negatively impact the value of their homes and their well-being.

“We’re not sure what the health fact would be on this,” said Chegus.

“We’ve got enough health issues let alone what something like that might bring,” said Dyck.

Health Canada’s website said based on the available scientific evidence, there are no health risks from exposure to the low levels of radio frequency EMF, which people are exposed to from cell phones, cell phone towers, antennas, and 5G devices.

In a letter sent to nearby residents, Shared Tower said the tower is a slim monopole, intended to improve coverage for multiple service providers.

Ralf Dyck lives a block and a half away. He can live with the location of the tower.

“So, what are you going to do? You want your service, you want your phones, this is kind of what goes with it,” he said.

A Zoom meeting for the public to ask questions and raise concerns has been planned for Wednesday evening. Chegus said she’ll be communicating her message in that meeting.

“Oh, I’m hoping we find another area for the location of the tower,” she said. “This isn’t the right location, it’s too close to everybody.”

CTV News reached out to Shared Tower for comment and is awaiting a response.