Niagara College and its partners marked a signature moment in the construction of the new Health Education Building on November 10, bringing the community together to celebrate a shared vision for the future of healthcare in the region.
At the Welland Campus, partner organizations, government officials, donors, students, and alumni gathered to sign a structural timber beam that will become part of the building itself, a symbolic gesture representing their collective investment in the people who will help meet Niagara’s future healthcare needs.
“As the timber beams go up and we see the shape and scale of Niagara College’s new Health Education Building emerge, we’re seeing what’s possible when a community comes together around a shared priority,” said President Sean Kennedy. “Each beam represents a shared investment in our students and the future of healthcare in Niagara. This building will allow us to expand enrolment to meet student demand, help address the region’s critical need for skilled professionals, and create more opportunities for community care.”
The 75,000-square-foot, two-story building is the centrepiece of Niagara College’s strategy to address critical shortages in frontline healthcare, and it will allow the College to graduate 800 additional students from its healthcare programs each year.
Ceremonial tree planting at the Niagara College Welland Campus in honour of the new Health Education Building. From L to R: Shannon Wiley, Montgomery Sisam Architects, Brad Augustine, Associate Director, Planning and Capital Projects at NC, Rayla Myhal, President of the Myhal Family Foundation, NC President Sean Kennedy, Dean, Health Sciences, Dr. Sinéad McElhone, and Gord Arbeau, Vice-President, External Relations.
The facility has received tremendous support from philanthropic partners through the College’s Together Campaign, including the Myhal Family Foundation (Myhal School of Nursing), the estate of Norris Walker, the Haj-Ahmad Family Foundation, and others whose generous investments will have a transformative and lasting impact on students.
The event also included a tree planting celebrating the building’s timber structure and commitment to sustainability, alongside a dedication honouring the Myhal Family Foundation for its generous contributions.
Niagara College Health Sciences students with a timber beam that will be part of the new Health Education Building currently under construction at the Welland Campus. Pictured with President Sean Kennedy, Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie, Dean, Health Sciences, Dr. Sinéad McElhone, and Rayla Myhal, President of the Myhal Family Foundation.
“Supporting Niagara College’s new Health Education Building isn’t just about constructing state-of-the-art classrooms or expanding footprint; it’s about investing directly in the human pipeline that will sustain our community for generations,” said Rayla Myhal, President of the Myhal Family Foundation and namesake of NC’s Myhal School of Nursing. “When we looked at Niagara College’s vision, we saw a perfect alignment with an organization that doesn’t just educate students but anchors this region by recruiting local talent, providing world-class, hands-on training, and deploying compassionate healthcare professionals directly into our hospitals, long-term care homes, and community health networks.”
“A stronger future for healthcare in Niagara starts with investing in the education and training of tomorrow’s workforce, and the community support of partners like the Myhal Family Foundation has been truly transformational in bringing our vision for the new Health Education Building to life,” said Gord Arbeau, Vice-President, External Relations. “This milestone shows what we can achieve together, and the College’s Together Campaign offers a meaningful opportunity for more community partners to help build a stronger future for healthcare in Niagara.”
Niagara College President Sean Kennedy with Rayla Myhal, President of the Myhal Family Foundation.
The community will benefit from expanded access to healthcare, including a dental clinic with double the capacity to serve 3,000 Niagarans annually, a Health and Community Hub with space to host vaccination clinics and wellness screenings, and expanded student-run physical therapy clinics.
Students will also benefit from enhanced learning environments, including upgraded clinical equipment, virtual reality and simulation technology, and hands-on training opportunities that better prepare them for the workforce.
“As a nursing student, it’s exciting to see this building come to life,” said Practical Nursing student Alycia Fedchyshak. “I’ve seen firsthand how important hands-on learning and access to the right resources can be. Knowing that future students will have even more opportunities to learn, collaborate, and build their skills here is incredible. It’s amazing to think about the future nurses and healthcare professionals who will learn here and go on to serve our community.”
Project phasing and construction
The project will be completed in two phases.
Phase one, with occupancy targeted for early fall 2027, will feature a larger dental clinic, upgraded dental materials, grinding and radiography labs, new and enhanced paramedic, virtual reality learning and pharmacy labs, a bookable multipurpose clinic and general instructional classrooms.
Phase two, scheduled for December 2028, will see the renovation of the existing Applied Health Institute with improved massage clinic space, upgraded occupational therapy assistant and physiotherapy labs, and additional nursing lab capacity.
During the next phase of construction from November to January, 941 mass timber components (columns, beams, and floor and roof panels) will be installed.
Compared to traditional steel and concrete, the timber structure will reduce the building’s carbon footprint, supporting ambitious Net Zero and Carbon Neutral goals. The use of Canadian lumber supports a more sustainable and efficient building process while bringing natural warmth to the space along Woodlawn Road and creating a welcoming environment for students and visitors alike.
Complementing the material approach, the building’s design prioritizes accessibility and equity through enhanced barrier-free spaces, inclusive amenities and dedicated family and parenting spaces for students and the broader community.
Together Campaign
Niagara College’s Together campaign is a multi-year, $50 million initiative focused on addressing critical workforce shortages in healthcare and skilled trades, making education more accessible, creating diverse learning environments, and fostering research, creativity, and innovation to help close Canada’s productivity gap.
Community partners and donors are invited to learn more about the important priorities of the Together campaign by visiting niagaracollege.ca/together.
