By Megan Harper
Twin Valley
Introducing the Twin Valley Esports Arena: Home of the Twisters
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (Oct. 22, 2025) – Something exciting is happening at the 12th Street Community Center, opening new doors for youth, families and the community. Thanks to the vision of Parks and Recreation Director Joshua Gray and Esports Coordinator Aaron Sheltrown, Junction City’s first Esports & Technology Program now has a state-of-the-art space — the Twin Valley Esports Arena: Home of the Twisters.
What began as the Twisters Esports Arena now proudly carries the Twin Valley name through a generous partnership with Kansas’ largest independently owned broadband provider. The facility is powered by blazing-fast dual 8 Gig fiber connections and robust network equipment provided by Twin Valley. As part of the multi-year partnership, Twin Valley is delivering on-site technical support for the Twisters’ first major tournament and installing additional infrastructure to support future large-scale events. The arena officially opened in May 2025 and already has exciting events on the horizon.
More Than Just Games
The arena isn’t just about competition. Participants gain teamwork, strategy and digital skills that open doors beyond the screen, preparing them for school, work and life.
“As the Esports Coordinator, I’ve built the Twisters from the ground up,” Sheltrown explained. “That meant designing the program, creating team structure, purchasing equipment on a modest budget and developing educational sessions that go beyond gaming. My goal has always been to give our players not just a team, but a foundation for their futures.”
For Twin Valley, powering the arena is part of a broader promise to give back to the communities it serves in ways that create lasting impact.
“Communities that provide opportunities to explore emerging fields like esports are better positioned to attract and retain families and talent,” said Megan Harper, Director of Marketing & Sales at Twin Valley. “These experiences spark curiosity, foster connection, and prove that rural Kansas can be a place where people want to stay and thrive. Our partnership with the Twisters underscores our role as a true community partner, ensuring rural Kansans have access to cutting-edge connectivity and are empowered to lead the way as technology advances.”
Meet the Twisters
The official team of Junction City Parks and Recreation already boasts over 430 members and saw 713 check-ins in June alone. Players earn their jerseys through tryouts and represent the - community in popular titles including Call of Duty, Tekken 8, Marvel Rivals, Fortnite and Rocket League.
Looking ahead to 2026, the program is planning six major tournaments, including the headline event Blizzard Brawls on Jan. 24, 2026, featuring Tekken 8 and pro wrestling, positioning Junction City as a rising destination in the esports world. This tournament is expected to draw participants from a multi-state region.
Community Backing, Future Growth
The Twin Valley Esports Arena: Home of the Twisters shows what is possible when local vision and support come together. With Sheltrown’s leadership, Gray’s guidance and Twin Valley’s investment in high-speed connectivity, the 12th Street Community Center has become a hub of opportunity.
To make this vision possible, the program is seeking sponsors and partners to help fund prize pools, provide equipment and gain visibility through branding, tournament streams and live events. Businesses, individuals and organizations can contact Aaron Sheltrown, Esports Coordinator ([email protected]), through the Junction City Parks and Recreation Department to explore ways to collaborate and help bring these opportunities to life.
About Twin Valley
Twin Valley is a fourth-generation family business that has over 80 years’ experience providing cutting-edge technology and connectivity throughout the central U.S. Twin Valley helps customers unlock possibilities to realize their full potential by providing a unique combination of broadband, mobile, home security, managed IT services, technology consulting, professional services and cloud/data center solutions for both residential and business customers.
Twin Valley made a Pledge to their communities and customers, always striving to provide the most reliable broadband network, the best value for internet, local hometown customer service and meaningful community outreach initiatives. Learn more at twinvalley.com/pledge.