NCCC OK’s Cannon bid for culinary center

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 5, 2008

The Niagara County Community College Board of Trustees approved a motion this week for NCCC President Dr. James Klyczek to award Cannon Design an architectural and engineering services contract for the proposed $10.2 million Hospitality and Tourism Institute dining and kitchen facilities.

“Cannon Design’s experience with both the development of higher education environments, as well as the planning and design of culinary and restaurant space, was what tipped the scale,” Klyczek said.

When all components of the 40,000 square-foot Hospitality and Tourism Institute are fully engaged, the institute will enroll up to 600 students at its Crowne Plaza location in Niagara Falls.

Financing for the project is being solicited from public and private sources, including government sources dedicated to economic development. Some sources will be asked to fund the initial project expenses such as construction, equipment, and signage. Other sources are being sought for annual support of the program budget for the first five to seven years of the project until the program is fully operational and fully enrolled.

Space within the institute’s footprint within the hotel complex has been reserved for a cooperative venture with the wine trail, a retail store to market culinary equipment, and kitchenware branded with the program’s logo. Proceeds from retail operations within the institute will fund program operations and scholarship opportunities for students wishing to study in any of the hospitality and tourism institute programs.

The concept of an established off-campus Hospitality and Tourism Institute dates to 2002. Ideas centered on 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.