Students in Fairview and surrounding communities will continue to have access to post-secondary education locally after the Fairview Campus transitions to a new community-led model.
The Fairview Regional College Transition Committee is working with Northern Lakes College and the provincial government to maintain programming at the campus.
The committee plans to establish a not-for-profit entity to oversee the site and coordinate with post-secondary partners on future programs and community uses. Alberta will retain ownership of the campus.
“The Fairview Campus is important to students, families and the community,” said Myles McDougall, Alberta’s minister of advanced education. “Northern Lakes College’s program offerings at the campus will provide stability for learners and help create a community-led future that reflects the needs of the Peace Country.”
Northern Lakes College is expected to deliver a mix of in-person apprenticeship and health-care programs, alongside online learning options. Advanced Education is working with Northwestern Polytechnic and Northern Lakes College to help current students complete their studies with minimal disruption.
Last fall, Northwestern Polytechnic officials announced the Fairview Campus will close in the summer of 2026.
The school said the decision came after a review of finances for the institutions, with Board of Governors members eventually coming to the conclusion that the satellite campus was no longer financially sustainable, nor did it meet the needs of students or industry.
Todd Loewen, MLA for Central Peace-Notley said the Fairview Campus plays an important role in the Peace Country
“Ensuring post-secondary education thrives in our region helps train people who support key economic sectors and allows rural Albertans to build their future close to home.”
Gord MacLeod, mayor of Fairview and chair of the transition committee, said keeping learning local is “an important step forward for the town and the region. It signals that the campus will continue to support learners, workforce development and economic opportunities in rural communities.”
Northern Lakes College president and CEO Glenn Mitchell said the college is “excited to be part of this initiative and to work alongside the community to make learning more accessible across northern Alberta.”
