Northern Lights College wants to make sure its students have more reasons to stick around after class and it’s looking to the City of Dawson Creek for help.
College representatives appeared before city council to talk about expanding recreational opportunities for students and strengthening the connection between the college and the wider community.
Lorelai Mathias, NLC’s director of student services, and Jesse Drew, vice-president of community relations and institutional strategy, outlined the college’s new Athletics and Recreation Strategic Plan and how existing community facilities could play a role.
Rather than building new facilities of its own, the college is exploring ways to give students greater access to recreation opportunities already available in Dawson Creek.
That could include facilities such as the fieldhouse and pool, as well as drop-in sports and other community recreation programs.
Mathias said the college has seen growing interest in athletics, pointing to recent success from NLC’s rodeo team.
The team captured three individual national titles in bareback riding, steer wrestling and tie-down roping, while the college’s speed skating team also made its debut.
“As a regional college, we know that student success extends well beyond the classroom,” Mathias said.
“Athletics, recreation, wellness, and community engagement all contribute to student retention, well-being, and a sense of belonging.”
For NLC, the goal goes beyond simply giving students somewhere to exercise.
Mathias said creating stronger connections between students and the community could help make Dawson Creek feel more like home for people who come to the region to study.
“I really believe that we need to lean in to being a college town,” she told council, describing the idea as an opportunity for long-term growth and student retention.
The proposal received support from several members of council.
Mayor Darcy Dober thanked the college for taking a community-minded approach and said NLC continues to play an important role in the region.
“Our city and our region is a better place having Northern Lights College,” Dober said.
Councillor Charlie Parslow, who has a background in education, also highlighted the broader impact of having a post-secondary institution that attracts students from outside the region.
Parslow said strong connections between a college and its surrounding community can have benefits that extend well beyond athletics.
“When I went to university, one of the attractions was its sports program,” Parslow said.
“Where you have a strong college that has its networks into the community, it is nothing but a positive change to the culture of the total community.”
Councillor Jermiy Earl also voiced support for exploring the idea, suggesting city administration could look at options such as student-focused fees or joint programming.
Earl noted that giving students access to facilities the city already operates could provide an opportunity to increase participation without requiring major new infrastructure.
“I will support the request when it comes back up under Mayor’s Business,” Earl said.
The request will now move forward for further discussion between NLC and city administration.
For both sides, the bigger picture is about creating a community where students can study, participate, build relationships and potentially choose to stay after graduation.
And if the college’s vision takes hold, Dawson Creek could be looking at more than just having a college — it could be looking at becoming a little more of a college town.
