A 90-metre obsolete radio tower at CFB Suffield is demolished. (Photo Courtesy Michael Franz/DRDC Suffield Research Centre)

By Gates Guarin

Radio tower demolition to benefit women’s shelter

Aug 31, 2022 | 3:38 PM

CFB SUFFIELD, AB – A major structure demolition took place at Canadian Forces Base Suffield Tuesday afternoon. An obsolete 90-metre tall radio tower located on the base’s experimental proving grounds was brought down with explosives in front of several curious staff from the base.

Stephen Bjarnason, director of Suffield Research Centre, says the demolition was necessary given the age of the asset.

“It’s actually old technology,” Bjarnason says. “This is back in the day when we were still using analog radio systems. We now have digital radio systems out here, so the tower is of really no value to us.”

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Bjarnason says the site will be repurposed for needs based on need, which could include chemical and biological testing and work, additional field research and testing for unmanned aerial systems, more commonly known as drones.

The day was more than just the demolition; crews in charge of the demolition reached out to the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society to see if a partnership could be arranged.

A fundraiser was created, with 50/50 tickets being sold. Half the proceeds will go directly to the women’s shelter. The area around the tower was virtually “cut” into 90 segments, and the winner of the draw would be determined by which segment the tower fell. All 90 tickets were sold out before the demolition.

Deidre Geisbrecht, volunteer and donations coordinator for the women’s shelter, says the money will benefit those who have been struggling as of late.

“The women’s shelter has experienced a lot of- a lot more need in the last few years since COVID,” Giesbrecht says. “We have more people living in shelter and they’re living often for a little bit of a longer time. So this will go towards our programs and services and we’ll look forward to being able to help out more people.”