21 spaces in Essex, Leamington, Kingsville and Lakeshore now have free Wi-Fi
Austin Taylor used the new free public Wi-Fi while playing basketball at a park in Belle River, Ont.
"I clicked on it, [it] just asked me to agree to terms … pressed log in and I was connected right away."
It's one of 21 public spaces across Lakeshore, Essex, Leamington and Kingsville that now have the service.
The Lakeshore resident says the connection is great.
"Wi-Fi can be spotty some places but it's nice to have a secure connection here," he said.
Austin Taylor, who spoke with CBC at Optimist Park in Belle River, says the new Wi-fi has been great. (Dalson Chen/CBC)
Taylor, 34, says he gets full service with full bars and allows him to stay connected.
"You're able to connect in right away and keep the phone bill lower when you're out and about."
Taylor says he likes to attend events such as Belle River's Stroll the Street, and thinks the free wireless network will help.
"I think they can obviously keep people connected if there's anything they need to show for their businesses. You don't have to worry about anyone really having any issues with their phone on connecting to learn more about what their business has to offer, any of the events going on."
The federal government invested $422,000 into the project. Gosfield North Communication and WaveDirect Telecommunication are the project's two local carriers.
The 21 locations were announced at an event in Lakeshore on Tuesday morning.
Co-An Public Park, McGregor.
Colchester Beach Harbour.
Harrow Arena.
Leamington Kinsmen Baseball Diamonds.
Leamington Soccer Fields.
Mersea Park.
Comber Community Park.
Millen Park, Woodslee.
Reg Chevalier Park, Woodslee.
Lions Club Park, Belle River.
Optimist Park, Belle River.
Duck Creek Park, Belle River.
Lakeview Trail, Belle River.
Belle River Marina.
Lakeview Park, Belle River.
Atlas Tube Centre, Belle River.
Ridgeview Park, Cottam.
Rotary Park, Cottam.
William St. Park, Cottam.
Connecting Windsor-Essex spearheaded the project, which ties in the public and private sectors.
The non-profit organization is a technology and digital network — and has been in the works for three years.
CEO of Connecting Windsor-Essex Joanne Soave, pictured with Essex County Warden Hilda MacDonald and Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk. (Dalson Chen/CBC)
CEO Joanne Soave says the free Internet will provide a cashless opportunity for customers and businesses for events and festivals.
"It's an awesome opportunity for connection in particular for small businesses," she said.
Warden of Essex County Hilda MacDonald says the project reaffirms the importance of quality of life for residents.
"Creating digital spaces, green spaces, in public spaces is so important. I think we really saw it during COVID when so many people didn't have those connections," said MacDonald, who's also the mayor of Leamington.
A Wi-Fi antenna at the Atlas Tube Recreation Complex. Free Wi-Fi is being added in nearly two dozen public places in Essex County. (Dalson Chen/CBC)
