In 2021 and 2022, IKDT secured funding to construst 1.79KM of brand new road connecting the North and South of the island. This project has been in the pipeline for many decades and has connected up the two different communities and is allowing our island to thrive as one. Just after we have secured the funding for the 2nd stage of the project, the tar topping, war broke out in Ukraine. Apart from the obvious humanitarian crisis, this had an instant impact on the price of all the raw materials required for surfacing. It meant we had to scale stage 2 back and make do with tarring the new built section of the road with a single layer of tar and leave approx 500 metres of road in an unbound, farm track state. Our plan for stage 2 had been to deliver 2 layers of tar over the new road (1.79km) and the 500m of existing road when we could petition the council to adopt the road as it connects up the existing council road to several council tax paying households. As it stands, while the road is in use and is hugely beneficial to life on the island however the maintenance burden on IKDT is not ideal. The council will not consider adoption until the road is brought up to the standard we had planned for stage 2 so we are hoping to complete the job. Adoption is key to the long term future of the road and indeed to whole community as it will allow unfettered access to all including vital services, emergency vehicles and access to the lifeline ferry service. The surfacing could be delivered in one week but the effects would be felt for generations to come. We would hope to continue the excellent working relationship with A&B Roads department to help deliver the best value for money possible.

Who are we?

An Tobar and Mull Theatre (AT&MT) is a vibrant multi-arts centre on the Isle of Mull and the only producing theatre in the Hebrides. As a hub for artistic excellence, cultural expression, and community connection, we play a vital role in our island's creative and social ecology. We aspire to be an island voice holding space for island experience in global culture at a time when the voices of rural communities are drowned out. Through our wide-ranging programme of theatre, visual arts, creative learning, and music, we serve: 

• Local and visiting artists, providing space, time, and collaborative opportunities to experiment and grow. 
• All school-age children on Mull, providing arts engagement and curriculum enrichment. 
• Young people, creating pathways in the creative industries and amplifying youth voice through the arts. 
• Older adults, including those living with dementia and other long-term conditions, supporting wellbeing and inclusion.

AT&MT has been recognised as a leader in community-based arts practice by the Federation of Scottish Theatre and as an essential part of local infrastructure by the Mull and Iona Community Trust.  The value of our community outreach, arts provision, and advocacy for rural communities is reflected in the thoughtful feedback we continue to receive from our local community:

“Engaging directly with one’s local community and peers is a valuable experience as it provides opportunity to share ideas and experiences and reinforces connectivity across our islands. I feel that this type of outreach work [AT&MT’s community outreach programme] is fundamental to a thriving cultural ecology on Mull and Iona” – Studio Cèilidh participant

“Because of Mull’s geography and lack of public transport many youngsters have difficulty accessing creative activities [...] The work has been taken to them through schools and location theatre. This ensures equality of access.” – Long-term Community Members

What do we want to do and why?

To secure our future and deepen our impact, we are launching an ambitious development project that responds directly to the needs of our island community. At the heart of this project is the purchase of the land beneath Mull Theatre and extension of the building to include dedicated creative workshop spaces for artists and visiting practitioners and an on-site crèche and early years facility to support families and broaden access to the arts. 

This project is essential to: 

• Protect the future of Mull's only professional theatre and the only producing theatre in the Hebrides. Currently operating under a lease, securing ownership of our site will give us long-term stability and the confidence to plan boldly.
• Address a critical shortage in early years childcare. Mull faces a well-documented lack of affordable and accessible childcare. This project offers a creative, community-centred solution that support parents and caregivers to participate fully in island life and the creative sector. 
• Nurture the next generation of artists and islanders. The crèche and workshop spaces will be designed with care, learning, discovery, and cultural enrichment at their heart. 
• Grow the island's creative ecology and promote the artistic excellence of Argyll and Bute on a national and international level. New workshop spaces will allow us to host more artists-in-residence and facilitate peer exchange. It will also offer affordable rehearsal and creation space for local and visiting artists, and extend our ability to deliver training, workshops, and events that connect Mull and Argyll and Bute to the wider cultural landscape of Scotland and beyond. 
• Strengthen community wellbeing. As we emerge from the social and economic challenges of recent years, this development supports community recovery through creativity, care, and collaboration.

Who are our partners?  

We will work in partnership with: 

• Local early years creative learning practitioners and educators, ensuring the crèche is child-centred, safe, and rooted in best practice. 
• Forestry and Land Scotland, to navigate our land purchase and ensure the building extension is designed with care and attention to our beautiful natural surroundings. 
• Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), to ensure the facility is bespoke and meets the needs of our island community.
• Our Community Advisory Group, to ensure that local voices and lived experience remains at the heart of the project. 

We believe that access to the arts, like access to care, should not depend on geography. This project is about more than bricks and mortar, it's about building a future where creativity, care, and community thrive side-by-side. With the support of our partners and funders, we're excited to take this next step in our journey, ensuring that AT&MT remains a place where island voices are heard, nurtured, and celebrated for generations to come. 

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.

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.