Director
Daniel is an experienced business development consultant, digital marketing manager and director of The View, Oban’s live music venue and bar.
Oban Communities Trust
Oban Communities Trust are delighted to be part of the new Oban Business Club and look forward to a continued successful relationship with businesses, social enterprises, charities and community organisations in Oban and the surrounds.
The Rockfield Centre
Oban Communities Trust was formed following a community campaign in 2014 to purchase, renovate and refurbish a Victorian building in the centre of Oban as a cultural and community hub.
The former primary school was built in 1877 and was occupied as a school until 2007.
The trustees, staff, volunteers and the wider community have pulled together and worked hard to support the £2.7 million refurbishment which is now well under way. The funds raised includes the magnificent sum of £210,000 raised through our Community Shares offer in 2018.
While we await the completion of the main building the Centre continues to serve the town with activities and events in the former classroom huts on the site. The enthusiasm to see this space back in use from local and visitors alike is evident from those who attend and support events.
So close to the main capital works completion we had hoped to get the keys back from the contractors in May 2020 but unfortunately for obvious reasons the works are currently suspended. However, when the work is completed and the keys are returned the renovation will recommence with a continued passion - with the kitting out and furnishing of each room and space a priority.
From what we have seen of the transformation so far it is an amazing, bright, welcoming and fit for purpose space, fully accessible to all.
The Rockfield Centre project will see a beautiful, historic building preserved with spaces modernised and repurposed for use as a cultural community hub maintaining the four core themes identified by the community of Arts & Culture, Education & Enterprise, Community & Wellbeing and History & Heritage.
The Centre has established many collaborations and will continue to provide benefits to the local tourism industry, which has obvious knock-on positive affect for the town and wider area.
The Rockfield Centre is offering something new and exciting for Oban in a space that is able to accommodate a range of services. A building which:-
- Is welcoming and accessible to all
- Has rooms to be creative with arts and music
- Has an all-weather heritage play space
- Has rooms and meeting areas for wellbeing
- Can accommodate performances and small conferences
- Can offer co working and research opportunities
- Can accommodate office use by other organisations
- Will have exhibition areas
- Will have a central community gathering canteen space
- Offers small and large rooms for hire
- Is in a central position ready to signpost to other business and places of interest in the area
A venue that opens its doors with a smile to welcome young and old, locals and visitors - to learn, enjoy, come together and be part of - for many generations to come.
Where are we right now?
While we await the completion of the much larger main building the Trust made use of the huts on site (temporary classrooms). The hire of space to the community and micro business maintains engagement, builds the audience and provides income to enable activity and support general project overheads.
Our other main forms of income to support the project is the centrally located car park and community charity shop, the shop is run by some of our fantastic volunteers and well used by the community and tourists alike.
All our volunteers have been integral and vital in us getting the project off the ground, supporting us along the way and helping us to reach each milestone. The project would not have grown without them and we are so grateful and lucky to have their support.
Since lockdown as with many other businesses our focus has changed somewhat. Whilst working on getting much need funding in place, planning for future activity and putting steps in place to crack on with the main building as soon as safe to do so, we are also supporting many community and voluntary groups in providing a response to the COVID-19 crisis in our area at the present time.
The Rockfield Centre has been identified as the Community Anchor Organisation in the area and the team are working hard to get the funding granted from the Supporting Communities Fund directed to the grassroots organisations undertaking vital work at this time.
We have adapted and innovated - moving as many of our hut activities as possible online to stay connected with and engaged with our community, these activities include a camera club, writing club, music sessions, art classes, community information and children’s art and heritage activities. More ideas and activities are added on a regular basis, please visit www.therockfieldcentre.org.uk to keep informed of what we are offering.