Cromwell hosts two Otago Polytechnic campus — Town Campus and Bannockburn Campus — and on-site student accommodation.
Otago Polytechnic Te Pūkenga executive director Megan Pōtiki confirmed closing and selling the "under-utilised" Town Campus and on-site accommodation was one of several options being discussed to improve the financial performance of the polytechnic.
"We are currently working with consultants, as directed by the Tertiary Education Commission, to look at how to improve our financial performance and ensure we have a sustainable future.
"The proposal to close the Town Campus and accommodation is being discussed with our staff," Ms Pōtiki said.
She did not give any other examples of cost-saving measures being considered by the polytechnic.
There were no definite dates about next steps for the proposed sale, but a spokeswoman confirmed the polytech did not expect it to be a "quick turnaround".
International students are unlikely to be affected by the proposed closure as the polytech’s "very few" international students are based in Wānaka.
This year, the Town Campus services 58 local secondary students who study part-time courses in beauty, cookery or hospitality.
The Bannockburn campus trains 69 part-time secondary school students and 80 tertiary students in brewing, stonemasonry, sports turf management, horticulture, agriculture, or bike mechanics.
The proposed closure will not affect any full-time-equivalent staff roles.
