{"id":1308139,"date":"2025-01-29T09:31:56","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T14:31:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/?p=1308139"},"modified":"2025-02-24T09:56:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T14:56:30","slug":"campus-glow-up-a-recap-of-2024-renovation-projects-and-a-look-ahead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.niagaracollege.ca\/insidenc\/2025\/01\/29\/campus-glow-up-a-recap-of-2024-renovation-projects-and-a-look-ahead\/","title":{"rendered":"Campus glow-up: A recap of 2024 renovation projects and a look ahead"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Below is a recap of some of the significant projects, followed by what you can expect this year.<\/p>\n

2024 projects<\/h2>\n
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P116<\/div><\/div>
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New Hair Salon Lab<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.<\/div><\/div>
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Welland Campus<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Construction of new service counters<\/em><\/strong> for students at International offices<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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New Paramedic Lab<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Renovations are underway to improve the Student Commons at the DJP-NOTL Campus.<\/div><\/div>
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W208<\/div><\/div>
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N102<\/div><\/div>
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Corridor C11 connecting the Student Commons to Simcoe at Welland Campus. Furniture will be delivered shortly.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Project Refresh<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Renovations<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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TC 133 interior.<\/div><\/div>
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Construction is underway on a learning space for solar trainers.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Renewable energy lab<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The hallways and common areas of the Welland Residence were refreshed with new carpet and paint in the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n

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Accessible pathway at DJP.<\/p><\/div>\n

Accessible walkway at DJP-NOTL<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

In November 2024, the College completed construction of a convenient and accessible pathway<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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New boilers at WC<\/p><\/div>\n

Heating plant refurbishment: Phase one<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Students were involved in the removal of phragmites.<\/p><\/div>\n

Phragmites removal<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The College began a three-year process to remove\u00a0Phragmites\u00a0<\/a>– an invasive reed – from both campuses as a proactive measure to safeguard campus biodiversity and infrastructure. Herbicide<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

AODA push button upgrades<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What’s next in 2025<\/h2>\n

Accessibility projects<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Numerous projects are planned for both campuses, which include:<\/p>\n