Calling all gamers: Conestoga College builds new esports arena
A brand new esports arena is coming to Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus.
The school announced construction will begin on the state-of-the-art facility next year, with plans to open in the spring of 2025.
“It will certainly be a first-of-its-kind in the area,” said Andrew Bates, Conestoga College’s associate director of sport & recreation.
The college said the facility will come with a 400 person capacity, with high-quality streaming, top-tier gaming PCs, premier consoles, immersive virtual reality and more.
“It will [bring] a large audience and more [people] can enjoy,” said Nimesh Chaudhari, a program lead at Conestoga College’s ESports Hub.
Since their inception in 2020, six varsity esports teams have competed online in the college’s eports hub. Players and staff believe the new space will over a gaming area that’s similar to a live sporting event.
“The energy you can draw from the crowd, it just is comparable to your traditional sports. Being in a football stadium, being in a hockey arena,” Ontario Post Secondary ESports League Commissioner, James Fitzgerald told CTV News.
According to the Government of Ontario, the esports industry brought in more than $5.5 billion to the Canadian economy in 2021
“There’s a lot of rapid growth. We’re seeing infrastructure develop, there’s been a lot more programming, more events,” said Allister Scorgie, sport hosting director for Explore Waterloo Region.
The province said the industry supported 55,000 full-time jobs in 2021.
“You’re getting a lot of money coming in from sponsorship dollars, butts in the seats,” said Fitzgerald. “You’re getting a lot of people who grow up with it and that’s where they want to take their career.”
The arena will also be used for student education, with several departments planning to launch new programming.
The college said the budget for the project tops out at $4 million.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi still missing after helicopter accident in mountains
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean 'Diddy' Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was 'truly sorry' and his actions were 'inexcusable.'