New address for Niagara College
A new address awaits thousands of students who are returning for classes at Niagara College’s Welland campus this fall.
This week, the college changed the name of the laneway leading into the campus to Niagara College Boulevard, from Ring Road.
The campus address is now 100 Niagara College Blvd.
Its old address was on Woodlawn Road.
“We’re so pleased that the city was able to facilitate this naming opportunity,” said college president Dan Patterson.
“I think it recognizes the important role that Niagara College plays as an economic driver and community partner. We have a long rich history at our Welland campus.”
Signs were posted Thursday at the intersection of First Avenue and the lane leading into the campus, identifying it as Niagara College Boulevard.
Patterson said the renaming of the street marks the launch of the celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary that will really get underway in 2017. The college officially opened its doors to its first students in January 1967.
GPS systems have also been updated to guide “prospective students and parents and visitors to the front door at 100 Niagara College Blvd.,” he said. “I can’t say how much we are pleased about this and the recognition in the community.”
It’s not the first time the college had tried to change its address.
Following extensive renovations at the college in 2010, the City of Welland was asked to change the name of the section of First Avenue that runs beside it to Niagara College Way.
However, the request was denied by the city as a result of opposition from neighbouring residents who were concerned about having to change their mailing addresses.
Patterson said renaming Ring Road instead was “the perfect solution.” “It makes so much more sense than having to go through some of the other changes that our initial proposal brought forward.”
Patterson said the new address will be prominently displayed on one of the red brick walls on either side of the college’s entrance.