Sara Mackay, a game and interactive art student at NSCC Truro Campus, plays a video game on one of the computers in the esports lounge. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentTRURO – A gaming hub at a local college is celebrating its one-year anniversary.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe esports lounge at NSCC Truro Campus, which opened in fall 2024, is open to all students and staff to drop in and play video games.Article contentArticle contentLocated in McCarthy Hall, the room is equipped with 10 gaming PCs, five console stations that include PlayStation, Wiis, and Xbox consoles, a driving simulator game, and arcade machines like Pac-Man.Article contentArticle content“Our focus is on building that community,” said the campus’ esports co-ordinator Sarah Koegler-Clarke.Article content“On mental health and awareness, on wellness, those types of things, and making sure that we have a safe and inclusive space for anyone to be able to come in to and enjoy.”Article content The lounge is equipped with 10 gaming PCs, five console stations that include PlayStation, Wiis, and Xbox consoles, a driving simulator game, and arcade machines like Pac-Man. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentEsports, also known as competitive video gaming, is a very popular industry around the world, said Koegler-Clarke. It’s growing throughout Canada, too, she adds.Article contentThe games offered in the lounge are for casual gamers, competitive gamers, and everything in between. The space also hosts events throughout the year that invite students to game with their peers.Article contentSara Mackay, a game and interactive art student at the Truro college, said her favourite thing about the lounge is the atmosphere.Article content“They had just opened it when I started as a student here, and I thought it was a really good opportunity for our program, being game development students,” said Mackay.Article contentArticle content“It’s good to have a space where we can play games, and just kind of interact and get to know each other.”Article contentSTUDENT INVOLVEMENTArticle contentNot only is the lounge a space to socialize, but it has also provided students with an opportunity to apply what they’re learning in the classroom.Article contentFor example, students in the IT systems management program helped install the computers in the lab last year. And, those computers include games created by game programming students.Article contentThe lounge is also student-run, and has teams that are responsible for operations, events, and marketing. In doing so, they are honing a variety of different skills, like leadership, teamwork, and creative problem solving, said Koegler-Clarke.Article content“My job is to, kind of, guide and facilitate, but project-based learning happening within the lounge itself in real time is really the most exciting thing about that,” she added.
Esports lounge at Truro college celebrating one year anniversary
