STRATFORD, ON, Saturday, July 12, 2025 — The City of Stratford, in partnership with Enorth Media, proudly announces the opening of NextStrat, Stratford's first dedicated Youth Esports Lounge, providing a safe and engaging space where local youth can explore their potential through competitive gaming and esports.

The facility opens on July 15th in the Burnside Agriplex on the second floor, featuring professional esports equipment, competitive coaching programs, organized tournament opportunities, and community events designed to inspire the next generation of esports players and industry professionals.

“We are so proud to have this partnership opportunity between the City of Stratford and Enorth Media. Esports is certainly a growing passion in our community particularly with our youth. In my conversations with local youth, as we were preparing for the opening of the Esports Lounge, there was much interest and excitement shared. It is important to continue to provide positive engagement opportunities for our youth,” said Mayor of Stratford, Martin Ritsma.

This innovative youth initiative is in part funded by the Government of Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund, as part of a broader effort to support crime prevention programs in Stratford.

"NextStrat perfectly aligns with our passion for community building and creating meaningful connections. We're not just providing esports & gaming equipment – we're crafting an environment where young people can develop real skills, build lasting relationships, and discover career paths in the rapidly growing esports industry," explained Kendryx Linscott, CEO & Founder of Enorth Media. 

"As storytellers, we're excited to help these youth find and share their own unique stories through the universal language of competitive gaming."

The NextStrat Esports Lounge focuses on:

• Building a safe community space for youth to connect and thrive

• Encouraging skill development through coaching and mentorship

• Creating future career pathways in gaming, tech, and esports

• Bringing in industry professionals to inspire and educate

 

Through competitive play, education, and community, the initiative aims to inspire passion, build skills, and create brighter futures. NextStrat will serve as a model for esports-driven youth development, with plans to expand to more communities across Canada.

NextStrat will celebrate its Grand Opening on Tuesday, July 15th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with special appearances from Mayor Ritsma, Stratford City staff, and industry professionals from the Greater Toronto Area’s esports community. The celebration is open to the general public and will showcase the facility’s capabilities and provide an opportunity for the community to come together & have fun!

For more information:

Visit NextStrat.ca
Email us at nextstratadmin@enorthmedia.ca
Follow us on social media for the latest updates!
Twitter/X: @NextStrat_
Instagram: @NextStrat_

NextStrat Hours of Operation: 

• Monday-Friday: 3:30 PM - 8:30 PM

• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

• Sunday: 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM

 

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About Enorth Media: Enorth Media is more than a marketing agency, we are storytellers who are passionate about community and brand building. Our mission is to empower brands through innovative storytelling and strategic solutions, fostering meaningful connections and measurable growth in the digital space. Enorth Media envisions a world where every brand thrives through authentic connections, cutting-edge strategies, and impactful digital experiences.
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For more information about the Building Safer Communities Fund initiative, please visit: https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/fndng-prgrms/bldng-sfr-cmmnts-fnd/index-en.aspx?wbdisable=true