A former primary school in Oban is to get a new lease of life after its community group owners have appointed a contractor to undertake extensive renovations.
The Rockfield Centre lay derelict for seven years before the Oban Communities Trust (OCT) group was formed, with the vision of taking over the building in the heart of the Argyll town for the benefit of the local community.
Now, work to refurbish the building is due to begin with local contractor TSL tasked with bringing the centre up to scratch to allow the group to vacate from their current hut buildings in the former playground.
TSL managing director Andy Knight said: “We are delighted to have secured this highly important work on such a historical building which will be of such benefit to Oban and its communities.”
Eleanor MacKinnon, OCT project facilitator said: “We are absolutely delighted. This is a major milestone in our journey.”
The OCT group took over the building in May 2015 thanks to support from various organisations to raise the £210,000 required to mount a community shares offer to secure the premise.
An award just shy of £1million was made to the trust by the Big Lottery Fund towards converting the former Victorian primary school into a centre for the community at a total cost of £3million.
Gordon McNab, chairman of OCT, said: “With the mix of social community benefit and a strong economic boost to Oban and area, we can look to The Rockfield Centre being a hugely important beacon for our town, reaching out in so many ways and a shining light as the heart of our creative and caring community.
“Oban is developing at a fast pace with more visitors coming to the town than ever before.
“With an increasing local population and a burgeoning tourist sector, The Rockfield Centre will be an important and vital part of our town centre – a focal point that will not only provide activities and facilities to benefit Oban and the wider area but become a national destination as a centre of excellence across the board.”
Work is expected to last around 12 months with OCT anticipating transfer from the current hut buildings to the former primary school to be complete by summer 2020.
Ms MacKinnon added: “We’re carrying on as we started and doing things differently. Everyone in the community can be involved and has a say in how The Rockfield Centre will run, what’s on offer and how to make it a focal point for Oban, its communities and its visitors.
“We are all very excited. It is truly the start of a new era for The Rockfield Centre, for Oban, its communities and as part of the national scene.”
