$1.76M upgrade brings pro broadcast gear to Niagara College students
Four new cameras and a network upgrade will help students cover events such as the Royal Henley Regatta and the U14 Canada Basketball Championships.
When Kenzie Kehoe enrolled at Niagara College three years ago, the Fonthill student planned to work in film. Then she tried different crew jobs in the college’s mobile TV truck and discovered she wanted to work in live sports broadcasting.
During an internship at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, she recognized much of the equipment the camera operators were using.
“I got to meet camera operators who showed me the gear they use and the majority of it was stuff we get to use here at the College,” Kehoe said. “I remember thinking how cool it was that we were using the same stuff as they use for one of the world’s largest events!”
Niagara College announced Thursday a roughly $1.76-million upgrade in live and remote broadcasting technology for its Audio and Media Production program. Ontario provided $878,985 through the College Equipment and Renewal Fund, and the college matched that amount.
The project added four industry-standard cameras to the mobile TV truck and a new core network router at the Welland campus. The upgrades support live broadcasts from remote locations and allow students to deliver video over a network using internet protocol.
Students will put the equipment to work in the coming months at events including the U14 Canada Basketball Championships and the Royal Henley Regatta. The college says the upgraded system will let students produce coverage suitable for major networks.
“We are installing the absolute latest technology at the same time as it’s being adopted by the professional industry,” said professor Peter (Dutch) VandenBerg. “This is exactly what our students will use when they graduate and enter the workforce.”
Niagara College president Sean Kennedy thanked the province for helping the college give students hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment. Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn said investments in facilities and equipment help ensure “Ontario’s students are equipped to thrive as leaders in the modern economy.”
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Speaking at the announcement, Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff said that by expanding programs and updating equipment, the province is “equipping students to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving economy.”
Through the provincial College Equipment and Renewal Fund (CERF), NC has been awarded a Ministry allocation of $878,985, matched dollar-for-dollar by the College. Left to right: Vice President, College Operations, Vince Malvaso; Vice President, Academic, Dr. Fay Lim-Lambie; Dean, School of Media, Trades and Technology, Duane Bender; NCSAC President, Hish Clifford; Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff; NC student Kenzie Kehoe; City of Welland Mayor Frank Campion; City of Welland Mayor-elect Pat Chiocchio; NC President Sean Kennedy; and Vice President, External Relations, Gord Arbeau. Photo: Supplied/Niagara College
For third-year student Brendan Beilmann, who moved from Edmonton to Niagara to pursue live sports audio production, the training helped him feel at home in a professional setting. Like Kehoe, he interned at the World Cup in Toronto, where he worked in audio.
“The new equipment has given me the confidence to step into professional event spaces and fit in,” Beilmann said. “It allows you to feel like your education is relevant and will provide you with the right experience to succeed in the industry.”
Audio and Media Production is a three-year advanced diploma program at Niagara College’s Welland campus. It was previously known as Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film.