NCCC selects Falls’ Crowne Plaza for Hospitality and Tourism Institute

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, December 22, 2007

The Niagara County Community College Board of Trustees approved a motion on Wednesday for NCCC President Dr. James Klyczek to begin the negotiation process towards a lease agreement with the Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls ownership and secure necessary financing for the proposed development of the NCCC Hospitality and Tourism Institute.

“The Crowne Plaza was selected based on a host of factors, including project cost, the three-star quality of the Crowne Plaza product, visibility of the institute and access by the public, and parking,” Klyczek said. “This endeavor fully engages so many more aspects of our mission, from providing our academic certificate and degree programs to continuing education, workforce development and economic development, than any other single project we have yet implemented.”

He reported that financing for the $10.2 million project will be solicited from both public and private sources, including government funding dedicated to economic development. Some of the potential sources will be asked to fund the initial project expenses, such as construction, equipment, and signage. Others are being sought for annual support of the NCCC Hospitality and Tourism Institute program’s budget for the first 5-7 years of the project, until the program is fully operational and students are fully enrolled.

When all components of the 40,000 square-foot Hospitality and Tourism Institute are fully engaged, it is expected to enroll up to 600 students at the Third Street Crowne Plaza location.

“The other advantage of the Crowne Plaza site that was brought out during our deliberations was the future expansion possibilities at the site when enrollment exceeds the projected maximum,” Klyczek pointed out.

He added that space within the Institute’s footprint within the hotel complex has been reserved for a cooperative venture with the Niagara Wine Trail, and a retail store to market culinary equipment, and kitchenware branded with the program’s logo. Proceeds from retail operations within the Institute will be returned directly to program operations, and to increase scholarship opportunities for students wishing to study in any of the Hospitality and Tourism Institute’s programs.

The concept of an established, off-campus Hospitality and Tourism Institute dates to 2002. Ideas centered around the potential expansion of NCCC’s current on-campus lunch-time dining room, the college’s desire to enhance current hospitality efforts, and expand offerings in a comprehensive structure that supports multiple programs in a more efficient and effective design. A number of sites in the county were under consideration, including other locations in downtown Niagara Falls adjacent to the Seneca-Niagara Casino operations, existing NCCC satellite facilities, and the historic Frontier House in Lewiston.

NCCC currently offers associates degree or certificate programs in hospitality management; hospitality operations; gaming and casino management; casino operations; recreation studies; culinary arts; baking and pastry arts, and a non-credit dealer training course.

Future program areas are now in development include restaurant management; event planning; massage therapy; spa management; tourism management, and wine and beverage management.

Others are being planned.

In addition to work on the Hospitality and Tourism Institute, NCCC is wrapping up an $11 million, three-year campus improvement project that includes new roofing, new windows, the renovation of more than 60 public restrooms, installation of a new public address, security and fire alarm systems, the renovation of the College Bookstore, new parking facilities and campus-wide signage. The Student Housing Village Corporation, formed by Klyczek as a result of a 2006 NCCC Board resolution, has contracted with United Development to design and build on-campus student housing with 308 beds scheduled to open in fall 2008. Ground breaking for that project occurred on Nov. 19.

Klyczek reported he would begin negotiating the lease and secure financing for approval by the Board of Trustees, and then to the Niagara County Legislature for approval of the contract. NCCC plans to have the new Hospitality and Tourism Institute open by January 2009.