Bow Valley College has come a long way since first opening its doors in 1965 – from humble beginnings in a basement to launching Calgary’s first esports arena 60 years later.
The impressive 3500-sq ft esports arena, which forms a key pillar of the province-wide Esports Strategy, features 40 competition-ready gaming stations, two full motion-rigged racing simulators, a state-of-the-art broadcast suite, and a dedicated varsity esports training room.
Hosting tournaments, testing game play and using the workspace for the college’s Indie Ignition Accelerator program provides students with the tools, knowledge and hands on experience they need to enter the creative industries world, such as esports, gaming, immersive technologies, animation and visual effects.
The esports arena is part of the college’s Digital Entertainment Nexus, which received funding in 2023 from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF). This funding will help train 675 people and support the entrepreneurial growth of 125 companies by 2028 – securing Bow Valley College’s place in Canada’s $5.5 billion gaming industry.
Another game-changing moment in the college’s history was the unveiling of the Bow Valley College mascot – the Bears – which will be represented for the first-time at the varsity level in esports. The Bear is a symbol of strength, intelligence, and resilience – a true reflection of Bow Valley College’s campus spirit.
On December 6th, 2024, we hosted a group of alumni at the ‘Power Play’ event, where attendees received private access to the esports arena, enjoyed live entertainment with food and beverages, and heard from Bow Valley College’s President and CEO, Misheck Mwaba.
Bow Valley College
345 - 6 Avenue SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 4V1
+1 403-410-1400
1-866-428-2669 (toll free)
