Fairview NWP campus. Photo courtesy Northwestern Polytechnic Facebook.

By Curtis Galbraith

Post-Secondary Education

“Community is quite shocked,” says Fairview mayor in reaction to local NWP closure

Oct 31, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The mayor of Fairview says the “community is quite shocked” after the announcement that the NWP campus in the community was set to close.

A release sent out Wednesday evening (Oct. 29) from the school says the Board of Governors had voted in favour of closing the Fairview campus by next summer.

Gordon MacLeod says the campus in his community has been there for almost 75 years.

“It’s ran very well over the numerous years in the past. We have great staff there, great administration.”

“It’s a shame that NWP wants to close it when it’s been a great facility for many, many years.”

MacLeod says “NWP had no interaction with the town or the MD that I know of,” until the news release was issued.

He adds his community “is looking at all options right now” after the announcement that the campus is set to close by next summer.

“We’ll be meeting with NWP next week on Tuesday (Nov. 4), from what I understand. (I’m) not sure what they’re going to tell us or not.”

“We’re looking at all options. You know, maybe there is something else we can do. We’re not giving everything up yet.”

MacLeod says it is disappointing to hear what officials at Northwestern Polytechnic are saying about the Fairview campus.

One of the reasons given by NWP for the closure was the trades programs there did not meet labour force needs in the region.

He adds it was also “shocking” to hear NWP say these programs have low enrollment. He says intake in most trades programs is up.

MacLeod says town council will also meet with the councils from neighbouring municipalities.

“We have somewhat of a game plan that we’re looking at, and we’re hoping people will be patient.”

“We might be requesting a letter-writing campaign to various ministers, as well as other people, to try and get something done.”

MacLeod adds there are “a lot of die-hard people that are in support of keeping this facility open in some capacity.”