Sanctuary Point Skate Park buzzed with energy and creativity on Thursday, October 3rd, as young skaters and artists gathered for an inspiring school holiday event led by Firefly Bay and Basin, The Totem Collective and Beyond Empathy. Designed to unite the community in a celebration of skateboarding and artistic expression, the day offered free workshops for all skill levels. Skaters honed their skills under the guidance of experienced instructors, while others dove into collaborative artwork and photography sessions with Beyond Empathy. With dozens of young people and families in attendance, this vibrant event truly celebrated creativity, connection, and community spirit.
Creative Workshops by Beyond Empathy
Beyond Empathy facilitated two inspiring creative workshops that brought out the artistic talents of the participants.
- Communal Artwork: The first workshop was a fun and collaborative session where everyone contributed to a large, shared masterpiece. It was incredible to watch the creativity flow as people added their unique touches, transforming the canvas into a beautiful work of art.
- Photography Workshop: The second workshop focused on photography. Young participants worked with Beyond Empathy to learn the art of capturing moments on camera. They had the chance to photograph and film skaters during the clinics—a unique opportunity for youth to explore a new creative medium and capture the day’s vibrant energy.
Skating Clinics by Totem Skateboarding
Skating enthusiasts joined clinics led by Totem Skateboarding, whether they were beginners just learning to balance or advanced skaters refining flip tricks. The energy was infectious, with high-fives and cheers as participants pushed themselves to try new tricks. This was a fantastic chance for the community to connect, learn, and, of course, have fun!
Firefly’s Ongoing Outreach and Engagement at the Skate Park
Firefly has a deep commitment to making Sanctuary Point Skate Park a welcoming and creative space for all. In recent months, we’ve hosted the BMX Blast in September and other skateboarding workshops over the past three years, helping local youth hone their skills in a positive environment. In collaboration with local youth, we also created a mural at the skate park—a testament to their creativity and pride in our community. We’re already looking forward to Youth Week 2025 in April, which promises even more opportunities for young people to connect and express themselves.
We’re proud to continue our efforts to revitalize and engage the space, providing opportunities for youth to connect, express themselves, and build community.
Check out the photos from the event here
A Special Thanks
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make Skate and Create such a success:
- Sanctuary Point Community Pride for generously cooking and providing the free BBQ for all our attendees. Your support made the day even more enjoyable, and we truly appreciate your contribution to bringing the community together over great food.
- The Office of Regional Youth for their generous funding, without which events like Skate and Create would not be possible. Their commitment to supporting youth initiatives in regional areas allowed us to bring this event to life.
Again, thank you to all the participants and supporters for your energy and enthusiasm. Whether you were skating, creating, or cheering on the participants, you helped make this event truly special!