Two small cell towers are being proposed for land adjacent to the Rutherford Rd. roundabout, part of a wider effort to improve cell connectivity in Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

signal strength

New cell towers proposed to improve reception through Nanaimo

Jun 17, 2025 | 5:24 AM

NANAIMO — Dealing with troublesome dead spots and improving overall connection quality is the goal of two proposed cell phone tower installations.

Monopole installations are planned, through infrastructure improvements from TELUS, adjacent to the Rutherford Rd. roundabout with Linley Valley Dr., as well as at the City’s public works yard on Labieux Rd., after Nanaimo Councillors gave their approval on Monday, June 16.

City manager of real estate Nancy Skeels told Councillors these upgrades have been in the works for a long time.

“Many of the City departments have been working with TELUS for a number of years to identify City-owned property where the proposals can be located on to rectify cellular coverage issues.”

A rendering of proposed new cell towers atop Rutherford hill in Nanaimo. (City of Nanaimo)

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The additions atop Rutherford hill, on the northeastern side of the roundabout, would each be roughly 15 metres tall and look similar to a street light pole with an attached cabinet.

Equipment would be installed on a City-owned right of way.

Plans for Labieux Rd. call for a single 46 metre tower and associated equipment, to be installed inside the City public works yard.

The City would be compensated $34,000 per year for land rent of both sites, for an initial term of 10 years, with two opportunities to extend the lease for an additional 10 years each.

“Both of these areas have poor coverage and would greatly benefit from the improved service,” Skeels added.

The City’s public works yard would host one of the two cell towers proposed as part of the latest infrastructure upgrades through TELUS. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

While the City gave their unanimous support on Monday, the final decision on installation of the towers falls with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.

These towers are the latest in a recent push to address poor cell phone connectivity, particularly in north Nanaimo.

City councillors gave similar approval to a project in the Hammond Bay Rd. area, where a 63 metre tower is planned at the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre.

Another tower, 31 metres tall, is in the works along the northern edge of Nanaimo city limits, off Mary Ellen Dr.

While residents in Nanoose Bay have voiced their objections to another planned piece of infrastructure proposed to be on private property on Serenity Pl.

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