Niagara College has broken ground on a new campus greenhouse to expand its research into the growing industry across the province.
The 1,258-square-metre greenhouse will be a hub for the school’s Horticultural and Environmental Sciences Innovation Centre (HESIC).
“The new greenhouse facility will provide our students with greater access to greenhouse technologies and plant science innovations, paid research opportunities, engaging course-based projects, and valuable interactions with employers,” said Evan DiValentino, associate dean of Niagara College’s School of Environment and Horticulture.
The new facility will be constructed behind the existing Teaching Greenhouse at its Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
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The greenhouse will include five individually contained bays, allowing researchers to control temperature, humidity and lighting in separate environments for projects, as well as integrated pest management and growth trials.
Other features include a vertical grow room and horticulture laboratory to meet research needs for HESIC’s industry partners.
The college says more than 125 students each year are expected to participate in applied research and course-based projects in the new greenhouse.
Construction of the new facility is scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2024.
The greenhouse is expected to cost $9.4 million, including a $1,566,500 million investment from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, $800,000 from Niagara Region Economic Development, and a combined $1.8 million for equipment from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund.
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