Amidst the hive of activity that was the 2024 academic year, the Planning, Sustainability and Capital Projects (PSCP) team was busy revitalizing campus spaces to improve accessibility and enhance the student experience.
Below is a recap of some of the significant projects, followed by what you can expect this year.
2024 projects
New Hair Salon Lab
An additional Hair Salon lab was constructed at Welland Campus in P116 to facilitate new and more experiential learning opportunities for students. An existing storage room was reconfigured. Lockers were removed, counters and mirrors installed, and electrical work completed. Cladding and millwork has also been completed.
Construction of new service counters for students at International offices
As part of a larger refresh project made possible by Dream Big funding, new welcome desks (service counters) were installed at the International offices at both campuses during the Spring 2024 Term. The new counters not only modernize the space but create a more welcoming, branded, and student-friendly environment while also increasing service efficiency for International and prospective students.
The classroom within the existing greenhouse underwent a refresh to foster a better student experience. Changes include new work benches for potting and taking notes and living walls to divide the classroom from administration to provide privacy.
New Paramedic Lab
Two instructional rooms at the Welland Campus – AH266 and AH266A – have been converted into a paramedic simulation space to facilitate new and more experiential learning opportunities for students the 2024 Winter Term.
The removal of a wall between V111 and an adjoining storage room at the Welland Campus has increased the capacity of the room and facilitated the reconfiguration of the layout. New furniture was added to fit the space and to increase the number of available workstations ahead of the Fall 2024 Term when the space came back online.
Project Refresh
Renovations of academic classrooms and student gathering spaces began on the ‘prototype’ spaces, including M212 and the Corridor C11 connecting the Student Commons to Simcoe at Welland Campus, and N102, W208 and the Student Commons at the DJP-NOTL Campus.
The classrooms have been fitted with new floor and ceilings, fresh paint, and new lights to brighten up the spaces. New technology and a variety of seating configurations will support the teaching environment and help ensure improved accessibility and facilitate active learning. IT work and training for faculty will take place over the winter, and the classrooms are expected to come online in the Spring 2025 Term.
The student gathering spaces will be fit with new, modern furniture (slated to arrive in late January) designed to invite social connection between students. In NOTL, a unique, purpose-built living wall with indoor plants is currently being installed to create a connection with our lush campus and provide experiential learning for students in the School of Environment and Horticulture.
Renewable energy lab
Leveraging CERF funding (College Equipment and Renewal Fund) from the province, the College invested in renovating TC133 at the Welland Campus to create a purpose-built outdoor space for hands-on training on solar trainers. The classroom reopened for the Winter 2025 Term with new training equipment, solar panel equipment, and workbenches. Storage and training space was increased by expanding to an outdoor space with an external door, concrete pad to house the solar panel equipment, and sea cans for additional storage.
The hallways and common areas of the Welland Residence were refreshed with new carpet and paint in the summer of 2024.
Accessible pathway at DJP.
Accessible walkway at DJP-NOTL
In November 2024, the College completed construction of a convenient and accessible pathway connecting Glendale Avenue to the main building entrance to the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The eco-friendly concrete pathway features ample space for those with mobility devices to maneuver with ease, and rest areas along the way with space for benches to be added.
New boilers at WC
Heating plant refurbishment: Phase one
The first phase of the heating plant refurbishment included the replacement of the natural gas boilers at the Welland Campus. Phase two will take place in 2026 and will include the air source heat pumps, electric boilers and main electrical upgrades. This project will see a reduction of 440tCO2e (25 per cent) in our carbon emissions at the Welland Campus.
Students were involved in the removal of phragmites.
Phragmites removal
The College began a three-year process to remove Phragmites – an invasive reed – from both campuses as a proactive measure to safeguard campus biodiversity and infrastructure. Herbicide was applied and the removal of the dead plant material took place. Phase one is complete and the treatment of regrowth will take place over the next two years.
AODA push button upgrades
AODA-compliant push-button door operators have been installed in the majority of common areas at both campuses as well as highly utilized classroom and lab spaces.
What’s next in 2025
Accessibility projects
Numerous projects are planned for both campuses, which include:
- Washroom renovations that integrate accessibility and inclusion. Construction started in December 2024 at both campuses.
- Elevator replacements at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Corporate Business Centre (NCBC)
- Upgrades to service counters to align with AODA requirements, some of which have been completed.
- Installation of automatic door operators at classrooms and labs
- Doors will be replaced at the entrance to the Marotta Family Innovation Complex for easier access
Project Refresh areas
These spaces – three academic classrooms and three student gathering spaces – will come back online over the course of the year as work is completed.
Build NC projects
Build NC will focus on capital projects that support enrolment growth while timelines for other projects are re-assessed. Upcoming projects include:
HESIC Greenhouse
The new Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC) Greenhouse will open in the coming months, where horticultural and environmental research and education will flourish. The new greenhouse will feature controlled temperature, humidity, lighting and CO2 in various growing environments, five individually contained bays, as well as dedicated horticulture and postharvest laboratories, and a vertical grow room.
Stay tuned for news of the official opening.
Health and Community Services Expansion
An expansion of our Health and Community Services at the Welland Campus will create more space for approved and anticipated new programs, as well as support enrolment increase in existing programs. The expansion will grow NC’s capacity to train in-demand front-line health care workers while facilitating new opportunities to service the community. The contract has been awarded to an architecture firm for the design and that is underway.
Welland Campus Residence
The College is building a new residence at the Welland Campus, which will help to address the increased demand for on-campus housing, and to facilitate enrolment growth. It is expected that the new residence will accommodate approximately 350 students. The College is currently working on acquiring a design consultant, with a goal of starting construction in December 2025.
