Gabrielle Tellez
Managing Editor
Tech Port Center + Arena opened its doors to the public on May 2, a $70 million new tech facility and event venue.
Alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins marked its grand opening with a sold-out concert.
The new facility is one of multiple construction projects aimed to bring economic growth to the Southside.
Stephanie Garcia, business development specialist at Tech Port Center + Arena, said the facility’s main function is to create jobs.
“We’ve built an infrastructure that creates opportunities for other industries to want to move into San Antonio to create those jobs,” Garcia said.
The new facility is located on the 1,900-acre industrial hub, Port San Antonio.
Located on the grounds of former Kelly Air Force Base, Port San Antonio is home to residential housing and facilities fostering careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, cyber technology, defense, business support and logistics.
According to Garcia, the venue will continue to grow Port San Antonio’s “technological ecosystem.”
The 180,000 square-foot facility houses a large esports arena, conference center, classrooms, upscale food hall, a LAN gaming center and the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s esports team got an early inside look at the gaming facility on April 12. Members of the South San esports team and Mayor Ron Nirenburg were also in attendance.
“There’s a lot of job opportunities surrounding gaming and esports,” said Sam Elizondo in a virtual interview on April 15, director of esports & LAN gaming center.
Elizondo said it’s unlikely most people entering esports will become successful players. However, like most major sports leagues, esports has the potential to foster careers including broadcasting, marketing and public relations.
“I think we’re on the right track to bring those jobs to San Antonio via this building,” Elizondo said.
On May 6, Tech Port Center + Arena will host the highly anticipated launch of the 2022 esports season of popular competitive video game, Overwatch.
Upcoming music acts at Tech Port Center + Arena include:
- Kevin Gates on May 14
- Carla Morrison on May 21
- Papa Roach on May 26
“We’re really excited to be offering all these bands and entertainment,” Garcia said.
Garcia said additional proceeds from these events will fund local STEM education through the Kelly Heritage Foundation.
For more information about the venue and upcoming events, visit https://www.techportcenter.com.
Story updated on 2:30 p.m. May 4 with grammatical revisions.
Story updated at 11:49 a.m. Dec. 1 to adjust photo formatting.
