College’s new common area ‘one of the best’

Students at Niagara College’s Welland campus have kicked off the school year by eating, studying and socializing in a new commons area that has a price tag of about $9 million.

Part of a $15-million renovation and addition to the Simcoe building that falls under a combined $65 million in construction at the Welland facility and the Niagara-on-the-Lake campus, the area includes six food vendors, seating for 550 people and a study space.

Along with extensive renovations to other areas of the Simcoe building that includes new labs and classrooms for the justice studies programs, the project covers more than 2,970 square metres of newly built space and 54 square metres of improved areas.

College president Dan Patterson said the new space is a complete turnaround from what was previously offered.

“We went from probably the least-desirable student commons cafeteria to one of the best in the Canadian college system,” he said when the project was officially unveiled on Thursday.

Students are impressed with the popular spot to hang out at between classes.

Clinton Phillips is in his second year of the computer technician program and, despite being told by college staff to not put his feet on the coffee table he was sitting next to, he is enjoying the space so far.

“It’s nice and open and there’s really good lighting,” he said.

For border services program student Trinity Barevich, the new social zone in the college is extra special as she used to work in the former, much smaller food service part of the campus.

She recalled there not being nearly enough room for everyone.

“The amount of people that couldn’t fit in the old cafeteria was insane,” she said.

“This gives students the opportunity to study more, have a seat with their friends and socialize. It’s a lot nicer.”

Recreation therapy student Justin Taylor looks forward to “an excellent year” starting his first term this week and expects to take advantage of the commons area on most days.

“This place is amazing. It’s very large,” he said.

KRIS DUBE Students Rebecca Ferrera, left, Brittany Klassen and Susan Clifford, with food and beverage staff Linda Marasco and student administrative council president Ryan Huckla.