The arena features 40 gaming stations, two motion-rigged racing simulators, a state-of-the-art broadcast suite and a dedicated varsity esports training room
Calgary’s new esports arena was unveiled at Bow Valley College on Wednesday — a first-of-its-kind facility in the city built as part of a provincial strategy to bolster Alberta’s growing esports industry.
The 3,500-square-foot arena, on Bow Valley College’s south campus in downtown, will host tournaments, test gameplay and serve as a workspace for the college’s programs, the college said.
Representatives from various partners connected to the project gathered in the arena Wednesday morning for its unveiling.
“We’re proud of the facility we’ve created here, but even more proud of the contribution it will make to the future of Calgary’s esports and digital entertainment industry,” said Dr. Misheck Mwaba, president and CEO of Bow Valley College. “We exist to give students the skills they need to take their talents and dreams and apply them to careers that grow our province.”
The arena’s $5-million price tag was covered by funds from BVC’s capital improvement and reserve fund budgets, and includes $1 million in computer, simulator and broadcast technology, the college said.
Tori Romano, who leads the digital media and entertainment sector of Calgary Economic Development, says esports has become a major focus of her work. Romano says it was a “no-brainer” to support efforts to expand the industry.
Romano has been involved with developing the strategy since 2021.
The arena features 40 gaming stations, two motion-rigged racing simulators, a state-of-the-art broadcast suite and a dedicated varsity esports training room.
The arena allows students in the college’s new Esports Business Management Program to get hands-on experience in important aspects of the industry, according to Eddie Sargent, associate dean of BVC’s Chiu School of Business.
Longtime gamer Nick Olmstead quit his decade-long career in construction last year to attend the program. Olmstead says being in the new esports arena is a “surreal dream.”
“It’s always been my dream to be on a stage and to be able to play in front of people,” Olmstead said. “Now I’m looking at, can I manage a team? Can I be part of these big live events around the world?”
The arena’s broadcasting features will make it a sought after space in the city, according to Ryan Coutts, digital entertainment accelerator lead at BVC.
“There’s a huge amount of demand for events like this in the city,” he said. “By having a built-in broadcast space, it lets us elevate the quality of events that we can have.
“It’s really going to be a key piece of infrastructure in the city.”
In 2023, Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus received $5.5 million in funding from Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund to allow the training of 675 people and the growth of 125 companies by 2028, supporting Canada’s $5.5-billion gaming industry, the college said.
According to Calgary Economic Development, esports is an umbrella term used to describe any form of competitive video gaming. The global esports industry is projected to reach a revenue of US$4.3 billion in 2024.