Rockfield Centre gets cash windfall

THE Rockfield Centre in Oban has been granted development funding of £ 32,423 from the Big Lottery Fund.

The support comes at a vital time in the development of the centre, with work progressing on plans for the main building, which will focus on the four core themes identified from the community – history and heritage, arts and culture, education and enterprise, and community wellbeing.

The community hut in the grounds of the Rockfield Centre is already providing space for a range of activities with demand currently at a premium.

Eleanor MacKinnon, Rockfield’s project facilitator, said: ‘The funds will enable us to progress all the technical investigations, gain additional specialist advice and support the progression of the strategic plan which are all requirements for the next stage of our journey to fund the main building project.’

Oban Communities Trust has been working to develop the Rockfield Centre since taking ownership of the former primary school building in May 2015.

The aim is to develop a flexible community- owned venue as a centre of creativity in the heart of Oban that serves both local communities and visitors to the town. The centre is a charity and social enterprise which has already created a positive social impact through its activities. A varied programme of events continues to be hosted by the centre and many other partner organisations.

Ronnie Neil, a trustee of Oban Communities Trust, said: ‘The Rockfield Centre team is delighted with news of the Big Lottery funding award. This is another positive step along the road to turn the Rockfield Centre vision into reality.’