CBC Tower (Mont-Carmel) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids CBC Tower (Mont-Carmel) (1st) |
|
---|---|
General information | |
Status | Destroyed |
Type | TV Mast |
Location | Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec, Canada |
Coordinates | 46°29′33.26″N 72°39′5.63″W / 46.4925722°N 72.6515639°W |
Completed | 1972 |
Destroyed | 2001 |
Height | 331.5 m (1,087.60 ft) |
The CBC Tower, also known as the WesTower Transmission Tower, was a very tall structure located near Shawinigan, Quebec in Canada. It stood on top of Mont-Carmel. This tower was built in 1972 and was used to send out signals for FM radio and television.
It was a very important tower for the CBC in Quebec for many years. It also helped several radio and TV stations in the Trois-Rivières area broadcast their shows. The original tower was 331.5-metre-high (1,088 ft), which is about as tall as 100-story building! It was taken down in 2001 and later replaced by a new, slightly shorter tower.
Contents
What Was the CBC Tower?
The CBC Tower was a special type of structure called a guyed mast. This means it was a tall, thin pole held up by strong cables, called "guy wires," that were anchored to the ground. These towers are designed to be very stable, even in strong winds.
A Tall Structure for Signals
The main job of the CBC Tower was to broadcast radio and television signals. Think of it like a giant antenna that sends out invisible waves. These waves carry the sound and pictures from TV and radio stations to homes all around the area. Without towers like this, we wouldn't be able to watch our favorite shows or listen to music on the radio.
Broadcasting Across Quebec
When it was built in 1972, the CBC Tower quickly became a key part of broadcasting in Quebec. It was the main point for the CBC to send its programs across the province. This meant that people in many different towns and cities could tune in to CBC radio and TV thanks to this one tower. It also helped local stations in the Trois-Rivières market reach their listeners and viewers.
The Tower's End and New Beginning
After nearly 30 years of service, the original CBC Tower was taken down in 2001. This was a big event because of how important the tower had been.
Why Was It Taken Down?
The first CBC Tower was destroyed in 2001. This was done using a controlled demolition. This means experts carefully planned how to take the tower down safely. While the exact reasons for its demolition aren't detailed, older structures sometimes need to be replaced due to age, new technology, or safety updates.
A New Tower Rises
After the first tower was taken down, a new tower was built in its place. This new tower is 326.8-metre-high (1,072 ft), which is just a little bit shorter than the original. It continues the important work of broadcasting radio and television signals to the region, ensuring that people can still enjoy their favorite programs.