Windsor’s St. Clair College has revealed plans for a facility that will become Canada’s largest esports facility.

The state-of-the-art facility is part of a $23-million expansion at the college’s south campus. The new Zekelman Centre of Business and Information Technology will also feature classrooms, student study areas, meeting rooms and offices for faculty. The Alumni Hall auditorium and the esports facility are the centrepieces of the new build.

"This new esports facility really is the last piece of the puzzle for us. We have top-tier academic, varsity and club esports programs but now they will be able to intermingle under one roof allowing for an unparalleled degree of synergy," said Esports Director Shaun Byrne.

In addition to being the new home for the St. Clair Saints varsity esports team, the facility will also feature a classroom and broadcast studio for the Esports Administration and Entrepreneurship Academic Program, an open gaming lab and console lounge, and a large competition stage complete with big screens for viewing.

In September, the college revealed design plans for the Zekelman Centre, in which the esports venue will be located. The building will span two floors and 40,000 square feet, including classrooms, student study areas, meeting rooms and faculty offices. A large auditorium, called Alumni Hall, rounds out the build.

The project received provincial approval last year. Funding for the centre will come from the College, student fees administered by the Student Representative Council, the school’s Alumni Association and the Zekelman family, who own North America’s largest independent steel tube manufacturer.

Construction is scheduled to be completed by January 2022.

Featured image: Esports players. (St. Clair College)