Niagara College announced an ambitious $50 million campus redevelopment plan today that includes significant improvements and additions to its Welland Campus, and the construction of a Wine Education Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.
The comprehensive campus redevelopment project is designed to increase capacity in programs that serve key industries in Niagara, including skilled trades, technology, winery and viticulture and hospitality and tourism, while providing much-needed improvements to aging facilities.
“Niagara College is a catalyst in the transitioning of Niagara’s economy. Our campus plans and investments are designed to help our region meet the challenges that come with a changing economy and an urgent need for highly skilled workers,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson.
The project is also a response to the College’s unprecedented growth, including a 10.1 percent increase in total enrolment for the Fall 2008 term – the largest increase among all Ontario colleges.
The capital project will create more than 1,000 postsecondary student spaces, and provide additional capacity for access training, academic upgrading and apprentice programs that provide opportunity for re-training and address skills shortages. Completion of the project is scheduled for the fall of 2010.
New additions to the Welland Campus will include:
• An Academic Wing with two 140-seat lecture theatres, lecture rooms, classrooms and labs;
• A Library and Learning Commons with an internal courtyard;
• A two-storey Athletics Centre with a double varsity-sized gymnasium, expanded fitness centres and a “green roof”;
• A Student Centre that includes a two-storey great hall, alumni lounge, bar and food-service facility, and offices.
• A significant expansion of the state of the art Technology Skills Centre
• Conversion of the existing student centre to a new visual arts/design centre
The Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus will see the construction of a new Wine Education Centre that will integrate academic programming, facilities for the unique Niagara College Teaching Winery and an educational centre for students, industry and visitors. The Niagara Culinary Institute will also be expanded.
The plan has already drawn the support of the Province of Ontario, which has invested $16.9 million in the project. Over the past decade, through sound financial planning, the College has established reserves that will cover approximately another one-third of the project cost. The College will look to the community, including regional and municipal governments, business, organizations and individuals to invest in this significant project.
“Niagara College is an economic success story in Niagara and our Campus Master Plan project is an exciting investment in Niagara’s future,” said Patterson, “We look forward to support from all areas of our community to make it happen.”
Further information on the project is available online at http://www.niagaracollege.ca/masterplan.
With 7,500 full-time students, Niagara College offers more than 90 diploma and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. Areas of specialization include hospitality and tourism, technology and community safety. The College is also home to the globally recognized Niagara Culinary Institute and to Canada’s first commercial teaching winery.
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For more information, contact:
Gordon Hunchak
Director, Marketing & Communications
905-735-2211, ext. 7567
ghunchak@niagaracollege.ca
Posted by Niagara College Communications 
