Bow Valley College unveiled its highly anticipated 70-seat esports arena on Wednesday, positioning it as a new hub for competition, innovation, and game development.

As the first of its kind in Calgary, the arena boasts 40 competition-ready gaming stations, two fully motion-rigged racing simulators, a cutting-edge broadcast suite, and a dedicated training room for the varsity esports team.

“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,” says 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.”

Located in Bow Valley College’s South Campus, the 3,500-square-foot (325-square-meter) arena is equipped with over $1 million worth of state-of-the-art technology, designed to host tournaments, test gameplay, and support the college’s accelerator programs.

“The facilities that come together here will allow students in our Esports Business Management Program to get hands on experience in all aspects of the business, including broadcasting,” says Eddie Sargent, Associate Dean of the Chiu School of Business.

The college’s Digital Entertainment Nexus, which received $5.5 million in funding from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) in 2023, is separate from the esports arena but aims to train 675 individuals and support the growth of 125 companies by 2028. This initiative is part of the effort to bolster Canada’s $5.5 billion gaming industry.

“Calgary’s game development community has been building mass for years,” says Mike Lohaus, Manager of Bow Valley College’s Digital Entertainment Nexus. “It’s inevitable that before long, some team of creators will hit it big. This space means students don’t have to leave the province to succeed in esports.”

The esports arena, funded by the college, is a key element of the Alberta Esports Strategy, further solidifying the region’s commitment to the growing industry.

“The opening of this arena is a game-changing moment, igniting a wave of growth and investment in Calgary’s digital media and entertainment arts sector,” says Luke Azevedo, Vice-President – Creative Industries, Operations and Film Commissioner with Calgary Economic Development.

OCIF’s investment will open doors to advanced programs in 3D animation, game development, esports, virtual reality, podcasting, and more. This funding is set to ignite innovation, expand career pathways, and encourage entrepreneurship in the creative sector, ultimately driving economic growth and diversification in the region.

“We’re driving disruptive growth by thinking beyond traditional industries. The opening of BVC’s esports arena is a prime example of how we’re fostering innovation and capturing investment in sectors that are reshaping the future of our economy,” said Brad Parry, President and CEO, Calgary Economic Development and CEO, OCIF.

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