Local entrepreneur pitches esports facility and district partnership for clubs and camps

Doug Small, a Wentzville resident and former district employee, approached the board during the resident-agenda portion of the Feb. 20 meeting seeking interest in partnering to start school esports clubs.

Small said he and his partner purchased a former Regal movie theater and are converting it into an esports and entertainment facility with team rooms, computers, arcades and enrichment camps. He said the facility would not require the district to purchase equipment for initial participation and pointed to the Missouri High School Esports Federation (MOHSF) as an organizing entity for state and local tournaments.

Why it matters: The proposal offers an option for students who do not participate in traditional athletics to engage in team-based extracurricular activities that emphasize communication, teamwork and technical skills. Small proposed summer camps, school clubs and a district-level team structure; he said startup cost to equip a school would be high (~$250,000 per school if district-run) but that clubs could use his facility at no equipment cost to the district.

Board response: Board members thanked Small and asked administration to coordinate a tour and follow up. Small said he had spoken to other nearby districts and planned to host tournaments and camps; he invited board members to tour the facility, which he said would open May 1.

Next steps: Administration said it would follow up with Small and the superintendent’s office to review potential club frameworks and liability/insurance considerations.