Construction will start soon on a new game lounge and esports arena for students in the Havener Center. The new 8,600-square-foot space will create additional opportunities for students to relax, connect and build community in the heart of campus.

Construction will begin at the end of March. During the first phase, you may notice some construction activity in the Havener Center, though disruptions to the building and the C-Store will be limited. Additional construction phases will take place throughout the summer and into the early part of the fall semester, with the goal of celebrating the grand opening during Homecoming weekend, Oct. 16-17.

The completed space will include 36 student gaming stations and a dedicated esports competition arena with 15 stations, along with console gaming options such as Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. The lounge will also feature billiards tables, ping pong and tabletop games available for checkout, including Dungeons & Dragons and chess.

“This space will provide a place for students and friends to get out of the residential halls, hang out, have a good time and connect in the heart of campus,” says Josh Perkins, former Esports Club president. “It will be an amenity space for all students, regardless of their interests.”

Students can learn more about the project, follow construction updates and view renderings of the space on the Master Plan website. Please note that renderings are early concept drafts to help visualize the space. Final design details may change as the project progresses.