Niagara Health’s 115-bed extended care unit in Welland will close in June due to inability to meet 2025 fire safety standards and licence expiration.

Niagara Health’s 115-bed extended care unit in Welland, open since 1972, will close in June due to the high cost and structural challenges of upgrading to meet Ontario’s 2025 fire safety standards, including mandatory sprinklers. The facility, housing 87 residents, cannot comply with the updated Ontario Fire Code despite having an approved alternative safety plan featuring enhanced alarms, evacuation procedures, and staff training. The closure is also tied to the expiration of its provincial operator’s licence. Niagara Health said retrofitting would require disruptive construction, risk infection control, and threaten patient safety. An engineering assessment confirmed the alternative plan meets safety objectives. The health system will assist all residents with relocation.