1. What do you want to do?

We aim to develop the Oban Sports & Events Hub—a modern, inclusive facility featuring a multi-sport clubhouse, floodlit pitches, gym, running track, and event spaces. This hub will serve as a central venue for sports, cultural events, and community gatherings, enhancing opportunities for physical activity and social engagement in Oban and the surrounding areas.

2. Why is your project needed?

Oban's existing sports infrastructure is outdated and lacks accessibility, limiting opportunities for participation in sports and community events. The current facilities do not meet the needs of the growing population, particularly youth and individuals with disabilities. By providing modern, accessible facilities, the Oban Sports & Events Hub will address these gaps, promoting inclusivity and community well-being.

3. What positive changes will your project bring about?

The hub will:

• Enhance Health and Well-being: Provide facilities that encourage physical activity across all age groups.

• Promote Inclusivity: Ensure accessible design for individuals with disabilities.

• Support Youth Development: Offer programs and spaces dedicated to youth engagement.

• Boost Local Economy: Attract events and visitors, supporting local businesses.

• Foster Community Cohesion: Serve as a gathering place for diverse community groups.

4. How long will your project run for?

The project is planned over multiple phases and is subject to funding and lease agreements. The project has been designed to be flexible but includes:

• Phase 1 (2025–mid 2026): Construction of the clubhouse, installation of floodlights, and development of the main pitch.

• Phase 2 (mid–late 2026): Addition of a running track and 4G area.

• Phase 3–4 (2027): Redevelopment of the bottom pitch and support of potential construction of the skate park.

• Phases 5–8 (2028–2032): Expansion to include additional facilities and infrastructure improvements.

Partnerships:

We plan to collaborate with:

• Local Sports Clubs: Oban Lorne RFC, Oban Saints FC, Oban Camanachd, and others.

• Educational Institutions: Local schools and youth organisations, including the school hostel. 

• Community Groups: Oban Community Skate Park Committee and cultural organisations.

• Local Businesses & Charities: Atlantis Leisure, Adventure Oban, Happy Wee Health Club.

• Local Authorities: Argyll and Bute Council for planning and support.

• National Event Organisers

These partnerships will ensure the hub meets the diverse needs of the community and operates sustainably.

1. First and foremost, we want to keep our children safe while they enjoy being outdoors. The A83 runs the entire length of West Kintyre and as all the villages are spurs from this extremely fast and dangerous road, there is just nowhere safe for children to ride their bikes. To address this, we wish to install a pump track at Tayinloan

2. We feel it is needed because the main A83 is getting busier, and is one of the most dangerous roads in Scotland. Children and adults of all ages are now taking up more and more physical exercise and cycling has become very popular indeed.  We wish to offer a safe enclosed area where they can learn and ride in safety.

3. The project could bring many positive benefits.  Pump track riding not only provides a physical workout, but also promotes good mental well-being. It’s not just about the physical challenge – although that’s definitely a big part of the appeal. Spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature, has a way of melting away stress and lifting spirits. Pump track riding can actually help sharpen the mind and improve cognitive function. It is a way to encourage youngsters to leave their screens for a while and enjoy outdoor activities and social interaction.

These are just some of the positive changes for those participating in the sport. However there are many others, such as helping with social isolation which has become a big problem in these post Covid times.

At the pump track, generations come together, no matter their age! From little ones with their parents or grandparents to teenagers and young adults, everyone can enjoy fun and friendship, making it a true community hub. The little ones learn how to ride and gain confidence, while the more experienced riders practice their skills. Parents can have a great time too, as they watch their children gain confidence and make friends

4. Once the planning has been approved (hopefully within 6 months of application) and the funding secured, the pump track can be installed in 6 weeks.

We will work with Velosolutions, who are world leaders in this technology.

We will also liaise with schools and youth clubs.

We will work with Argyll and Bute Councillors

1. What do you want to do? Describe the activities your project will carry out and list any partner organisations.
2. SVH Management Committee is seeking funding to redevelop the village hall in a rural community where there are no other community facilities. The hall hosts a range of groups and services, such as yoga classes, family celebrations, presentations e.g. local wind farm, fundraising events and acts as a polling station during local and national elections. 
3. Why is your project needed? Summarise the evidence showing your community needs this project. Help!

Today, SVH remains a vital institution within the village, embodying a rich heritage and an unwavering commitment to community values. It stands as a reminder of the village's history, a venue for collective memory, and a beacon of fellowship. The hall continues to host a diverse range of activities, adapting to contemporary needs while preserving its historical essence.

1. What positive changes will your project bring about? Describe the benefits for participants. Help!

The SVH project will help deliver community needs which evidence: - 

• Clear and genuine need. 

• Relevant and appropriate consultation. 

• The ability to keep the site in good order and well maintained once the project is complete. 

• Reasonable costs which offer good value. 

• The ability to deliver the project on time and on budget. 

• The project’s outcomes will benefit the natural, social or built environment and make a positive impact on local communities. 

1. How long will your project run for? Provide the project duration and estimated start date.

From 1st April 2025 to 31 March 2026 

Our primary aim is to build a safe social/recreational workshop and creative workspace for retired men & women to undertake creative projects for the village and local district. This should assist in improving the appearance of Strachur and surrounding area for the benefit of the local community and visitors e.g. by reconstituting picnic areas that have fallen into disrepair, also by maintaining benches; fences etc. such as those in our community Heron Park and installing sculpture/art works where agreed as appropriate. Similar maintenance and creative projects would be made available to the district  with the involvement of people domiciled within a 10 mile radius. Existing craft and trade skills that 'Shed' members possess would be used to do this, hopefully enabling members to learn new skills as well. Other local organizations  would also benefit e.g. the local Youth/Drama Group where members could assist in the manufacture of costumes and scenery for the regular annual productions at reduced cost.

Like many small rural villages Strachur has an increasing population of retirees. We hope that involvement in local projects - through teamwork - would help in reducing feelings of isolation for the 'older' members of our community by providing mental and physical stimulation, thus showing the 'younger' members of our community that we still have something to contribute to village life whilst improving recreational facilities for all. This approach should enable the facility to be sustained for many years as people become aware of the projects we are involved in. The provision of workshop facilities should also benefit the village Memorial Hall by providing support for maintenance and supplementing the facilities available in the centre of the village. To this end we want to work with the local Development Corporation; the Village Hall Committee and the Organisations that use the limited facilities available at present.

This proposal meets RCGF criteria:  supporting locally developed, place-based regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to tackle inequalities and improving the economic, social and physical environment of deprived, disadvantaged and fragile remote communities across Scotland. It is community led, addresses market failure (inadequate parking and outdoor event space) and will result in strong regeneration outcomes.

The Rockfield Centre is owned and run by Oban Communities Trust, a Community Benefit Society run by and for its members and the wider community. It sits within c. 2000 m2 of old playpark, currently used as a car park

What will your project do? The project will re-surface the existing outdoor space surrounding The Rockfield Centre, resulting in a safe, smooth surfaced area which can be used to bring the community together through large-scale outdoor events, create economic additionality by unlocking new potential for town centre events, and contribute to ongoing town-centre carparking demand.

Why is your project needed? In the recent past, The Rockfield Centre's outdoor space has been used for a range of outdoor events from the Clipper food and drink village (July 2024) and the centre's Spring Festival (June 2025), whilst day-to-day it contributes ~ 50 spaces to the town centre parking supply - a critical resource during peak season. However, the space is badly in need of resurfacing, both to ensure its future as a carparking resource and to enable its use as a safe and accessible community gathering space. 

What positive changes will your project bring about? We belive that this project will unlock huge potential for outdoor events within Oban town centre, with benefits for business, local charities, and the wider community. Our strategic planning has identified a need within the Oban town centre area for a flexible and adaptable outdoor space that can be used by community groups for a wide range of activities - including markets, concerts, festivals, and outdoor theatre. Our outdoor space is the ideal location for holding these events as it is enclosed, easy to secure, and removes the need for disruptive and costly road closures which would be highly advantageous in a town which regularly experiences traffic flow issues and can struggle with capacity at peak times. We believe that Oban and the wider community will benefit from this project as it will open up opportunities which have otherwise not been considered, as there is no alternative suitable town centre area that can offer these facilities. This project will allow these opportunities to be fully explored and realised. The Rockfield Centre is strategically placed at the heart of the town, and is open to all. We have a track record of successfully delivering exciting, inclusive, and novel community-focussed events alongside large contracted projects, and are fully commited to working collabaratively and building strength through partnerships.

How long will your project run for?  Once funding is in place, the works could be completed quickly with actual disruption to the space kept to 2-3 weeks. We estimate the cost to be £60k (based on quotes obtained in summer 2024). We aim to have this work completed by the end of 2025.

What do we want to do?

This project seeks to transform an existing community space at the Tiree Rural Centre – previously used as a café – into a community-owned vet practice serving the islands of Coll and Tiree. The Rural Centre hosts the island’s cattle and sheep market along with an exhibition showing all aspects of crofting and wildlife on Tiree. It plays a leading role in preserving Tiree’s rich crofting heritage and, together with its central location on the island, is well-placed to host a community vet practice. This represents a significant investment and regeneration project for both Tiree and Coll, and would contribute positively to local economies, which revolve around crofting.

This project is led by a consortium of island stakeholders which includes Tiree Rural Development (which manage the Rural Centre), Tiree Community Development Trust, various crofters and community representatives, and the current vet. This steering group provides strategic oversight and represents a community-led approach focused on safeguarding a key island service and a shared belief that something must be done before it is too late.

To that end, the Tiree Community Development Trust commissioned a feasibility study to investigate renovating the available, currently vacant space at the Rural Centre into a vet practice. With a full design and accurate costs now in place, the consortium are now in a position to commence a build phase of the project, and are actively seeking funding to make this important project a reality.

Why is our project needed?

A vet is absolutely critical to both Tiree and Coll. Without an island vet, crofting largely becomes untenable, as crofters need access to veterinary services to keep animals and ensure their welfare. Crucially, Tiree’s culture, history, economy, and its unique machair landscape are all strongly linked to crofting. In addition to running their crofts, crofters often hold multiple jobs and community roles, and are essential to island life. 

As crofting is the island’s primary industry, the loss of a vet would have dire consequences for the local economy. This would likely lead to emigration and a decline in the numbers of families living on the island. Even a few families leaving would have a significant impact on services, and could spark the further closure of lifeline services such as the school, GP surgery, and local businesses – a gradual process often seen in other small Scottish islands once the population falls below a critical point. Once these key services are lost, we know from experience and research that they rarely return. This is due to the high cost of running services on islands, the challenges of setting up, and the dwindling economic returns and economies of scale. Remote islands are places where market failure is the norm, not the exception. The group recognises that the vet practice is one such service that the island cannot afford to lose. 

Moreover, many residents keep small animals and pets; the operational and cost implications of relying on a mainland vet service for Tiree and Coll residents are significant, in some instances prohibitive. The vet also plays a central role in protecting the island’s unique wildlife and marine life, regularly attending call-outs to help stranded dolphins and seals, for example.

With our current vet looking to retire in the near future, we are keen to minimise barriers that an incoming vet faces. In the past, it has been difficult to recruit and retain vet capacity, and recent shortages in the sector, combined with a low financial return of investing in an island-based vet practice, have made this challenge more acute. Additionally, the current vet operates out of a small and temporary space which is unlikely to meet future RCVS standards and does not fully meet the dynamic needs of an island vet. A high-quality, affordable, and long-term practice ensures that the prospect of moving to Tiree to take over the practice becomes much more attractive and financially viable.

What positive changes will our project bring about?

This project provides key benefits to crofters and the wider community on both Tiree and Coll:

• A bespoke, compliant, and modern vet practice will make it easier to attract an incoming vet to the island, and retain them once they have arrived.
• It improves the standard of care and contributes positively to animal welfare, as well as providing a better space for a vet to operate out of.
• Securing an appropriate practice space for Tiree and Coll safeguards the entire crofting sector, the island’s primary industry.
• Security of tenure for the vet, as well as a stable rental income for a community group dedicated to improving conditions for crofters and wildlife on Tiree.
• Making better use of existing assets, and optimising design to factor in environmental improvements.
• Tiree and Coll pet owners are guaranteed access to veterinary care without having to rely on mainland services, which can be difficult and expensive to access – especially during emergencies.
• The project contributes to the wider regeneration of Tiree’s existing community-owned assets, and will play a key role in Tiree Rural Centre’s future.
• A lifeline island service is maintained, contributing to the overall viability of Tiree’s small, unique, and thriving community.

How long will our project run for?

The project will start on: 01/03/2026

The project will run for : 12 months

MACPool Activity Hub is a local community hub settled within the rural area of Lochgilphead. We currently service the area of Mid Argyll, where the population is approximately 6,000 people. On an average week, we will provide services such as specialised swimming sessions, fitness classes and Learn to Swim lessons, where over 500 regular participants will attend the Activity Hub.

MACPool Activity Hub works closely with rural school with promoting Water Safety Sessions and scheduled blocks of weekly lessons to pupils. The main Learn to Swim program caters to more than 220 participants from a 25 mile radius on a weekly basis, with ages ranging from 4-75 years old.

We offer a range of programs designed to specialise in different needs such as our Toddler Time sessions to classes such as HyrdoMobility, a senior exercise class, focusing on water-based exercises to strengthen the core and increase stability.

In collaboration with RMFitness and the NHS Living Well Program, MACPool Activity Hub has been assisting with the rehabilitation within the senior community, providing a bespoke area to re-build confidence, both in and out of the water. 

We also host Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Young Carer sessions in partnership with the Mid Argyll Youth Development Services (MAYDS), providing a safe space for those in the community who may not otherwise have access to such spaces. 

In accordance with our sustainability principles, MACPool Activity Hub is a part of the Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme. Therefore, the Hub uses a biomass boiler that is fuelled by woodchips to produce the necessary heating for the swimming pool and hot water systems. MACPool Activity Hub is also a part of the Feed In Tariff (FIT) scheme and have over 100 solar panels, which generate renewable electricity.

During previous winters, however, the quality of the fuel source has declined, causing our boilers to malfunction. It is essential that our boilers remain fully operational to comply with regulations concerning water and air temperatures. When we do not meet these regulations, we are forced to close the pool, cancelling valuable swimming lessons, fitness classes and pre-programmed sessions, thus losing credibility and revenue.

Our vision is to expand on the foundations of what we have created so far, improving integral community bonds, while seeking other connections to become a cornerstone of the community. To sustain our efforts, we aim to secure funding for a secondary heating source and to upgrade the storage silo, to allow us to change over from woodchips to wood pellets. This will enable us to remain in the RHI scheme while continuing to develop our programs and timetable, while also fostering partnerships that align with the needs of the community. 

Dunoon Community Development Trust wants to work with children and young people to design and develop a new skatepark facility in Dunoon that will better meet their needs and encourage increased outdoor activity and community connection.

Dunoon Skatepark is sited in Ardenslate, one of two areas in the town within the highest decile of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.  The original skatepark was campaigned for and developed by local young almost 20 years ago and its creation was a major achievement for those involved. It was well used for several years, however, the original steel structures and rough surfacing are no longer fit for purpose and levels of use have seriously declined. Some elements of the facility present a significant hazard, especially for learners, so there are very few younger users or family involvement. Local young people and young adults have been actively involved in campaigning for improvements to the skatepark gathering hundreds of signatures on their petition on Change.org  Recent engagement with school pupils has confirmed their interest in improved facilities for skating and wheeling on the site.

By developing this facility to better meet the needs of skateboarders, in-line skaters and BMX bikers of all abilities, we will be able to support and encourage children, young people and young adults to build their skills and enjoy peer-to-peer learning experiences. More time spent outdoors engaging in interesting physical activities will help to address the health and wellbeing challenges faced by young people and young adults and help to reduce social isolation.

This project will run for between 12 and 18 months including consultation, design, planning, permissions and construction.

The skatepark is situated on land owned by Argyll & Bute Council so it will be vital to work in partnership with them. Consultation will also involve local schools, Dunoon Community Council and Live Argyll youth work team.