Esports arena could come to Sandusky

SANDUSKY — Cedar Fair announced on Thursday it's exploring the potential development of a multimillion-dollar esports arena in Sandusky. Working in collaboration with Esports Development, a privately held entity with experience and connections throughout the gaming world, Cedar Point's parent company wants to develop preliminary plans for this estimated $28 million arena. Preliminary plans show the arena getting built beside the indoor Cedar Point Sports Center on Cleveland Road (U.S. 6). "The facility would be a beacon for Midwest youth and collegiate gaming and esports, providing a best-in-class space to host competitive events for up to 1,500 stadium spectators," according to a company statement. "It would include 200 gaming stations and offer a wide range of food and beverage options, supplying amenities for competitors, gamers and spectators alike." "Our long-term strategy is focused on delivering an immersive entertainment experience that differentiates our parks and makes our park guests want to come back again and again," said Richard Zimmerman, Cedar Fair's president and CEO. "Given the booming popularity of esports, we believe there is an opportunity to tap into the growing appetite for that form of entertainment and package it with all that Cedar Point has to offer," he said. The facility would represent a follow-up developmental phase to Cedar Point Sports Center's $42 million investment. Becoming a global phenomenon, esports is the competitive side of a rapidly growing electronic gaming industry. Global revenue from competitive gaming is projected to hit $1.1 billion this year with double-digit growth year-over-year and an estimated audience of nearly 475 million people, Cedar Fair reports. Two out of three Americans are gamers with 75% of those between the ages of 18 and 34 years old, the statement read. The average time spent gaming is more than six hours per week. On Wednesday, executives submitted preliminary development plans for the esports facility to Sandusky's planning commission The proposed development consists of a 1,500-seat multipurpose arena designed specifically for esports. But it could also host concerts, youth-oriented camps and educational opportunities such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programming. • The first floor also consists of a 200-station gaming hub, locker rooms and food court area. • The second floor of the facility will include a restaurant with outdoor terrace, a broadcast studio and ancillary office space. • The third and fourth floors are to be dormitory rooms for esports camp and event attendees. If the development is approved and necessary financing secured, construction would be expected to commence before the end of this year with a targeted opening in the first half of 2023