Project of the Month: Vantage Builders and JCJ Architecture complete 5,000 s/f buildout of the Rowdy’s Esports Arena at UMass Lowell

Lowell, MA Vantage Builders, Inc., a commercial contractor specializing in pre-construction, construction management and design-build services, has completed the 5,000 s/f buildout of UMass Lowell’s Rowdy’s Esports Arena, a new gaming hub and student gathering place. Named after the university’s mascot, Rowdy the River Hawk, the arena features the latest computers, gaming consoles, and a comfortable atmosphere for players and spectators alike. 

The arena is located on the lower level of the Martin T. Meehan Student Center, UMass Lowell’s student center, in space that previously served as part of the campus bookstore, the River Hawk Shop. More than simply fun and (video) games, the intent behind the construction of the arena is to build community and engagement among the UMass Lowell students. 

“The reaction from the students has been amazing,” said Adam Dunbar, Director of Student Affairs – Student Center, Fox Common and Gaming Operations, at UMass Lowell. “When we began this project three years ago, we set out to create a space that would allow the students to gather, thrive and find commonality with their peers. That’s exactly what the arena does and the final project is a real showstopper. We are grateful for the student input in the plans and for the hard work of the project team, led by Vantage Builders and JCJ Architecture.” 

Rowdy’s Esports Arena features 50 brand-new, custom-built personal computers, including 38 for recreational play and 12 varsity-level systems equipped with the latest NVIDIA graphics cards. Also available are console gaming stations with Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 machines. 

Working closely with UMass Lowell, the project team transformed a mostly empty basement space into more than a dozen rooms, including the gaming arena, a lounge area, reception, a team room, broadcast room and A/V center. The atmosphere is created not by the glow of screens but by cove radius lighting throughout – along the ceiling, walls and seating areas – creating low ambient lighting that is perfect for gaming, with the brightness and color schemes controlled by switch. Inset along the perimeter walls of the arena is plentiful, comfortable banquette seating, also lit by the LED lighting. A viewing room offers additional seating and multiple screens broadcasting current or past games. The corridor leading from reception to the arena features perforated metal walls, backlit by colored lights. 

While a visitor to the arena would understandably focus on the screens and the atmosphere, like many video games, there’s also a lot going on behind the scenes. The project included significant MEP work, especially HVAC. A new air handler – oversized for any other 5,000 s/f space but absolutely needed to cool an area with so much computer equipment and lighting – was installed by crane, lowered into the lower level through a large sidewalk vent. Five rooftop units were installed, as well as electrical work and plumbing for the onsite restrooms. 

The design favors not only aesthetics but also ongoing maintenance of the arena. A raised access flooring system will allow IT to perform upgrades and reconfigure wiring, as new systems are added or the layout changes, while ACT ceiling allows for access to overhead systems. 

“This is certainly one of the coolest looking spaces that Vantage Builders has completed in its 25 years of operation,” said John Connor, principal at Vantage Builders. “The project demanded a balance between the design elements and the significant systems work, all within a very small, subterranean space, and the project team was able to deliver.” 

Rowdy’s Esports Arena is open to UMass Lowell students seven days a week. The university is additionally in the planning stages of developing a varsity esports program to compete with other schools. 

Project photos were taken by Leigh Chodos (https://chodosinc.com). To see a tour of the arena in action, please visit https://vb-inc.com/rowdysesportsarena.