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Fairview Campus transition

Students can keep learning in Fairview while planning for the future of the campus goes on.

Overview

Fairview Campus is moving through a step-by-step transition so learning can continue while local partners plan for the campus’s future.

The plan keeps students supported, protects the land and buildings and gives the Fairview Regional Campus Society time to prepare for a future campus management role.

Responsibilities will move in stages, based on readiness

Alberta’s government has approved a phased transition for Fairview Campus. Alberta Infrastructure will own the land and buildings, Fairview Regional Campus Society will continue as the long-term steward and prepare for a future role as the primary leaseholder, and Northern Lakes College will deliver public post-secondary programming and be the interim primary leaseholder until the society is ready.

Fairview Campus is NOT closing – Students can continue learning at the Fairview Campus while the society plans for the campus’s future.

What this means for you

Students

You can keep learning at Fairview Campus while the long-term plan is developed.

Families

The plan keeps local learning options available and gives students more certainty.

Employers

The campus will continue supporting training and skill-building in the region.

Community

The society remains the key local partner preparing to lead a sustainable future for the campus.

Transition steps

There are 4 main steps in the transition:

Step 1. Keep programs running

Northern Lakes College will continue post-secondary learning at Fairview Campus during the transition.

Step 2. Protect the land and buildings

The land and buildings will move from Northwestern Polytechnic to the Alberta government.

Step 3. Prepare the local model

The society will keep building the leadership, funding, staff, systems and partnerships it needs for their stewardship and future primary leaseholder roles.

Step 4. Move responsibilities when ready

The society will take on primary leaseholder responsibilities only when it is ready.

Readiness indicators

Readiness indicators show the society is ready to take full responsibility. These include:

  • organizational mandate and strategic direction
  • governance and accountability
  • financial sustainability and viability
  • risk management and organizational resilience
  • organizational administration and operations
  • human resources and workforce readiness
  • financial administration and procurement operations
  • information management and organizational record keeping
  • operational continuity and organizational resilience

Long-term planning

Long-term planning means the society has a clear direction, good governance, a workable financial plan and safeguards to manage risk.

Day-to-day operations

Day-to-day operations means the society has the people, systems, processes and supports needed to manage regular responsibilities.

Roles and responsibilities

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Fairview Regional Campus Society and Northern Lakes College all currently have important roles and responsibilities for Fairview Campus. These roles and responsibilities may change in the future.

Government of Alberta, Ministry of Infrastructure

Current

  • Owns the land and buildings. This helps protect the property while transition work continues.

Future

  • Continues to own the land and buildings.

Fairview Regional Campus Society

Current

  • Continues the long-term steward role.
  • Builds the leadership, funding, staff and systems needed for future primary leaseholder role.

Future

  • Continues the long-term steward role.
  • When ready, becomes the primary leaseholder.
  • Runs day-to-day campus operations.

Northern Lakes College

Current

  • Offers approved post-secondary programming.
  • Runs day-to-day campus operations in primary leaseholder role.

Future

  • Offers approved post-secondary programming.
  • Other providers may also offer programs in the future.

Learn more: Info Sheet – Roles and Responsibilities

Transition process

The transition is intended to balance immediate student needs with the long-term future of the campus:

Support students now – Students need certainty. The phased approach keeps learning available while the longer-term plan is developed.

Protect the campus and future options – The campus includes public land, buildings and equipment. Protecting those resources helps keep future learning options open.

Build a local future for the campus – Many people in the community want the campus to stay connected to the region. The phased approach gives the Society time to prepare for their important leadership role.

Support the society as it prepares – Running a campus takes community commitment, strong planning, steady funding, safe operations and clear accountability. These pieces take time to build.

Buildings, equipment and campus assets

Buildings, equipment and campus assets are being reviewed as part of the transition. Decisions about what equipment stays at Fairview Campus take into consideration student needs, approved and future programs, safety, and responsible use of public resources. Future approved programs at Fairview will have the equipment they need.

The goal is to support students now through a local plan that supports learning, protects the campus and is ready to last.

Timeline

These dates show the main transition milestones:

  • Fall 2025 – Closure announcement

    Northwestern Polytechnic announced its intent to close Fairview Campus.

  • Spring 2026 – Local solution approved

    The solution was developed after community advocacy to keep post-secondary education at Fairview Campus. Alberta's government committed to support Northern Lakes College programming and the local community taking a long-term stewardship role.

  • June 2026 – Phased stewardship model approved

    Alberta's government approved the phased plan. Northern Lakes College was confirmed as the interim primary leaseholder to support the Fairview Regional Campus Society building their organizational structure and readiness.

  • August 2026 – Ownership and interim leaseholder responsibilities begin

    Fairview Campus ownership moves to the Ministry of Infrastructure. Northern Lakes College takes on primary leaseholder responsibilities and the Society continues readiness work.

  • September 2026 – Public post-secondary delivery continues

    Northern Lakes College begins public post-secondary delivery at Fairview Campus.

  • May 2027 – Stewardship transition

    If the society is ready, the primary leaseholder role will transfer from Northern Lakes College to the society. If more work is needed, transition planning will continue.

More information

  • Fairview Campus is not closing

    A step-by-step plan is in place so students can keep learning while local partners plan for the campus’ future.

  • Students can keep learning at Fairview Campus

    Students can continue learning at the campus during the transition. Northern Lakes College will offer public post-secondary programs at Fairview Campus beginning fall 2026 in several skilled trades and health care programs. Future programs will depend on student demand, workforce needs, funding and provider capacity.

  • Other future programming options are being explored

    Advanced Education is working toward re-establishing a Veterinary Technology program at Fairview for 2027/28. Other programming options are also being explored. Future programs will depend on student demand, workforce needs, funding and school planning.

  • Northern Lakes College’s role as primary leaseholder is not permanent

    Northern Lakes College role as primary leaseholder is an interim role until the Fairview Regional Campus Society is ready to assume those responsibilities. 

  • Fairview Regional Campus Society’s role

    The society is seeking future partnerships and sustainable economic opportunities for the campus as part of its long-term stewardship role. It is preparing to assume future primary leaseholder responsibilities when ready. It will keep working with Alberta's government, Northern Lakes College and community partners during the transition.

  • Ministry of Alberta Infrastructure’s involvement

    Alberta Infrastructure will own the land and buildings once ownership transfers from Northwestern Polytechnic.

  • Buildings and equipment at Fairview Campus

    Buildings, equipment and campus assets are being reviewed as part of the transition. Decisions about what equipment stays at Fairview Campus consider student needs, approved and future programs, safety, and responsible use of public resources. 

    Future approved programs at Fairview Campus will have the right equipment when it is needed. Equipment needs will be considered as part of future program planning and funding decisions.

    Learn more: Info Sheet – Equipment and Assets

  • Transferring of future responsibilities

    Responsibilities will move to the society when the needed funding, staffing, systems, accountability measures and property plans meet Alberta's government direction and approval.

    Learn more: Info Sheet – Transition Timeline

  • The goal

    If more time is needed, transition work will continue. The goal is a local plan that supports learning, protects the campus and is ready to last.

Resources

Updates

Updates will be shared on this page as transition work continues, program details are confirmed and future decisions are made.

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