Niagara College is taking a major step to help address the region’s healthcare worker shortage with the launch of construction on its new Applied Health Institute expansion, set to begin this week.

Located on the southeast corner of Woodlawn Road and First Avenue, the project will add 75,000 square feet of teaching labs, classrooms, patient care spaces, and community hubs. The expansion is part of a strategic priority to increase enrolment in high-demand health programs — many of which currently have long wait lists — and will significantly boost the college’s capacity to train frontline healthcare workers.

The multi-phase construction will begin with the removal of berms and vegetation. Fencing will be installed along Woodlawn Road, though pedestrian sidewalk access will remain open. Phase one is expected to open in fall 2027.