Students at Niagara College’s Welland Campus have a new space to gather, study, collaborate and socialize. The College officially opened its new Student Commons as part of its Orientation Week activities on Sept. 6.
The new space is part of a recently completed $15 million addition and renovation to the Simcoe building, and includes six food vendors, seating for 550 people, and student collaborative and study space. Students at the College were welcomed to the new Student Commons with a cake and coffee giveaway, and an inside look at the new facility, which also includes an innovative video wall, and a small green-roof. A unique 1,300 square foot student activity room is also part of the new space, and includes glass pivot doors, and a standalone sound and projection system.
“Providing state-of-the-art learning spaces at both our campuses is one way Niagara College delivers an exceptional learning experience for our students,” said Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “Through our Campus Redevelopment projects, we’re excited to offer our growing student body new facilities that not only enhance their experience here at NC, but also support our growth as a college.”
Along with extensive renovations to other areas of the Simcoe building, including new labs and classrooms for the College’s Justice Studies programs, the Student Commons project comprises over 33,000 square feet of newly built space and 600 square feet of renovations. The project also includes brand new kitchen equipment and 2,700 square feet of cooking facilities for the six food vendors in the Student Commons. The new facility was designed by Gow Hastings Architects, while GS Wark oversaw construction and UEM Consulting served as project manager.
The grand opening coincided with a community barbecue hosted by Niagara College’s Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), just outside the new Student Commons. “Enhancing our student spaces with this new Student Commons at the Welland Campus also serves to enhance the student experience for all of us here at NC,” said Ryan Huckla, president of Niagara College’s Student Administrative Council. “This space creates a warm, welcoming environment for students to relax, enjoy a bite, socialize and create lifelong friendships.”
The new Student Commons is part of the College’s $64 million Campus Redevelopment project that will provide new and expanded facilities at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses. Projects include the Green Automotive Lab at the Welland Campus, which opened this past Spring, and the Marotta Family Innovation Complex at the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, set to open in early 2019. Visit niagaracollege.ca/campusredevelopment for more information.
