Northwestern Polytechnic Transitioning to Single Campus to Ensure Future Sustainability and Growth

Fairview campus scheduled to close next summer

Northwestern Polytechnic (NWP) is taking steps to mitigate an anticipated ongoing budget shortfall and ensure the financial sustainability and long-term success of its programs and services for learners in northern Alberta.

As part of these measures, the Board of Governors has made the difficult decision to close the polytechnic’s satellite Fairview campus at the end of the academic year. An extensive review of operations and finances shows the Fairview campus is not financially sustainable and no longer meets the needs of students or industry.

Guided by its Strategic Plan, True North NWP remains committed to building a foundation for long-term success that directly reflects student interests, industry demand, and the distinctive needs of northern Alberta.

“The Board of Governors recognizes that the Fairview campus closure will have a significant impact on staff, students and the community of Fairview,” said Board Chair Shawna Miller. 

“We did not come to this difficult decision easily. After careful examination of various scenarios and options, it became clear that there is no scenario in which the Fairview campus is sustainable, and a transformative approach is needed immediately to achieve financial sustainability and operational effectiveness for NWP.”

Student demand for programs in northwest Alberta is primarily focused on Grande Prairie or outside the region. The majority of apprenticeship students attending programs at the Fairview Campus come from areas closer to Grande Prairie, where the main campus is located.

“Given these student patterns, along with more than $100 million in deferred maintenance required in Fairview, long-term sustainability is a major challenge,” said Miller. “NWP’s analysis also shows that several programs at Fairview have high delivery costs, low enrolment, and are no longer aligned with evolving labour market needs. Despite several changes to the organizational structure of the campus over the years aimed at reducing overhead costs, it is impossible to continue operations without affecting our broader institutional priorities.”

The Fairview campus will operate as usual for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, including apprenticeship programs scheduled to run from January to July 2026. Select Fairview-based programs will be moved to Grande Prairie for Fall 2026 to strategically position operations for the future. Current students will receive additional program-specific information from their Dean in the coming weeks.

While NWP’s stewardship role for the Fairview campus in its current capacity will conclude in the summer of 2026, we are committed to helping to bring together stakeholders and facilitating conversations that will support exploration of options for repurposing campus buildings and land to leverage unique local strengths.

“Staff, students, and community stakeholders have been informed of the decision and our transition plans. NWP’s leadership will work closely with everyone involved to ensure as smooth a transition as possible,” added Miller. “NWP remains deeply committed to supporting learners, employees, and long-term regional success as we move forward.”

For more information, visit NWP.me/Sustainability.