Plans have been outlined for a potential new 4,000-seat esports arena in the Scottish city of Dundee.
Northern Lights Arena Europe (NLAE) has signed an 18-month exclusivity agreement with Dundee City Council that allows the company to progress initial design concepts, strategic advice and expertise.
The project includes Dundee’s Abertay University and could result in a new digital arena on the city’s waterfront. The arena would provide educational, economic, entertainment and employment opportunities for Dundee.
As well as hosting an esports academy for further and higher education, the complex would host conventional leisure facilities, indoor sporting events, retail and live/workspace.
Abertay is working with NLAE to maximise the educational benefits of the project, which would enable the university to develop a new range of esports-related degree courses through on-site bespoke facilities. The project would also include Abertay’s local college partner, Dundee & Angus College.
The facilities and technical infrastructure for the arena and academic campus will be designed with Nottingham Trent University’s Creative Technology faculty, Confetti. Amazon Web Services and low-carbon energy provider Vital Energi will be among the technology partners for the project.
Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “Agreeing an exclusivity arrangement with NLAE is the best way forward to allow what is an exciting and potentially winning development the time and space needed to undertake feasibility studies and advance outline proposals. As a thriving and recognised cradle for games development I can think of no better place for such a complex to be.”
NLAE chief executive Chris Turner added: “We are delighted to be able to announce Dundee as the first of several multi-million-pound projects that the NLAE team is working on. We have been impressed with the forward-looking approach of Dundee City Council and their ambition to have a world-class public space at the heart of Dundee.
“NLAE is working with global technology partners, including Amazon Web Services, to provide unparalleled facilities and experiences. NLAE is working with Vital Energi to develop and deliver a low carbon energy solution for all NLAE projects and other local customers in Dundee City Centre.”
Image: Ian Ritchie Architects, Ltd
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