Lead Partner: Oban and Lorn Enterprise Ltd
Description
The Atlantis project came about by four people discussing the lack of indoor sports provision in the area and deciding to explore the possibility of doing something about it. The numbers were increased to 8 by selective addition of a lawyer, accountant, architect and the chairman of the local sports council. From January 1991 the aims of the group were agreed; negotiations and a tendering process were undertaken with the Council to take over the Oban Swimming Pool and surrounding area; a public meeting with over 120 people attended to establish community interest and support; Oban and Lorn Community Enterprise Ltd (T/A Atlantis Leisure) was formed (a charitable company limited by guarantee); 1st October 1992 Atlantis Leisure having negotiated a 21-year lease took over the running of Oban Swimming Pool and surrounding area with a view to ‘Developing and operating sports and leisure facilities’
Since then, the community company has transformed what was a basic swimming pool into a multi-million pound leisure complex with pool, 6-court regional sportshall, tennis and squash courts, climbing wall, gym, dance studio, outdoor all-weather pitch, and now employ 40 people.
Partnership working with funding bodies along with voluntary and public sector organisations has resulted in Atlantis Leisure developing from being a facility provider to taking a pro-active role in delivering sport and community services in North Argyll. This includes a sports development programme; healthy living initiatives; youth work; sports outreach; community events; regional sport and cultural events.
Oban and Lorn Community Enterprise Ltd will take an ‘exploratory, challenging and entrepreneurial approach’ to this action research. Their proposal is focused on sport and leisure services in rural areas and building upon their own experiences and those of 4 other initiatives around the UK, they aim to identify the difficulties and obstacles experienced by community providers, examining how these were overcome in real examples. The group will particularly focus on Governance, Non-public funding , Assets, Sustainability and how these key areas are addressed by successful community projects.
Contact Details
Roy ClunieAtlantis Leisure Dalriach Road Oban Argyll PA34 5JE Tel: 01631 566800 Email: roy@cg-ltd.co.ukWebsite: http://www.atlantisleisure.co.uk