The Centennial Tower in Owen Sound will remain closed indefinitely, until extensive repairs can be completed.
Council passed a motion during a special meeting Monday to include a $265,000 Centennial Tower rehabilitation project in the “unfunded” list in the city’s 2026-2030 multi-year capital plan.
Structural concerns forced the closure of the popular tower — which features a spiral staircase and viewing platform — in the city’s southeast end last August.
“The most notable concern was considerable corrosion and section loss of the eastern steel panels that support the upper concrete tower and make up the lower portion of the tower,” a staff report to council explains. “It was also identified that the entrance arches of the inner brick layer, supported by the steel panels, are showing signs of deflection, and some bricks have shifted.”
The engineering consulting firm which completed a structural review — GEI Consultants — recommended the tower be closed until the structural concerns could be addressed.
The Centennial Tower was constructed in 1967 by students of West Hill Secondary School and OSCVI. It was a centennial project to celebrate Canada’s 100th birthday.
Some restoration work was completed in 2001. Since then, minor maintenance including painting, rail repairs and the replacement of a wooden deck have been completed.
Owen Sound’s Manager of Corporate Services Brady Carbert told councillors the recommendation from staff is to keep the tower closed until a facility-specific asset management program is developed, or funding can be secured for the $265,000 repair project.
Coun. Marion Koepke wondered if community groups might be interested in supporting this rehabilitation project.
“I know 100 Good Men could maybe help with this project, or 100 Good Women,” Koepke says. “(There are) lots of community groups that use this tower.”
