Post-secondary education will continue in Fairview as the Government of Alberta confirms Northern Lakes College will operate the campus beginning September 2026.
The college will offer in-person apprenticeship and health-care programs, alongside online learning, while students can also access programming at Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie to ensure continuity during the transition.
The new model emphasizes a community-led approach, with the Fairview Regional College Transition Committee establishing a not-for-profit entity to steward the campus, guide programming, and explore community uses.
The province will retain ownership of the facility while working closely with local partners, including Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, to shape the campus’s long-term vision.
Local leaders welcomed the decision. Mayor Gord MacLeod said it ensures continued rural access to education and workforce development, while MLA Todd Loewen highlighted the campus’s role in supporting key sectors.
The province also confirmed the Veterinary Technology program’s cattle and equipment will remain in Fairview, with the program restored as soon as feasible.
The Fairview campus, serving northern Alberta for over 75 years, is set to evolve under this sustainable, locally guided model.
A public meeting on March 23 at 7pm at the Dunvegan Inn & Suites will allow community members, students, and stakeholders to provide input on the campus’s future, with a livestream available for those unable to attend in person.
Keith Hopper, Trending 55
