Behind the Scenes: Feb ‘22
The pancakes have been scoffed and the challenges set for Lent – we’re cruising towards Easter already! The shortest month of the year always flies by and this February has been no different at Atlantis Leisure. Read on to find out what’s been happening at the Centre as we head through March:
Community Fitness Programme - ‘dancing into Spring!’
Walking football returned to Atlantis this month. This is a fantastic community sport that helps players stay fit whilst also encouraging an increased range of movement throughout the body. As such, it’s a really important activity that’s been missed during the pandemic so it’s great to have it back!
Looking ahead in the Atlantis programme, we’ve made the decision not to run holiday camps during the Easter break. Atlantis is still experiencing staffing pressures as a result of the enduring effects of Covid. The reduced staffing roster means the necessary preparation that goes into planning the camps is increasingly difficult. We also need to be sure that we have enough team members to safely run the camps whilst continuing the day-to-day operations of the Centre. We know this will be a disappointment but camps will be back!
And it’s been a very long two years but we are very pleased to welcome the Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival back to Atlantis in May. The cancellation of community events like the Dance Festival due to the pandemic were a particular blow so it’s brilliant to be able to welcome them back. The Dance Festival is a major event in Atlantis’ year – roll on May!
Looking ahead, we’ll be introducing a new booking app for mobile and an upgraded booking system for the web over the next few months. Still powered by the same Scuba system that you’ll already be familiar with, the upgrades will make booking sessions that little bit easier. So, eyes peeled for more info coming soon!
Centre Life - ‘Health and Wellbeing are GO!’
The new Atlantis Leisure Health and Wellbeing Zone is now open! This is a project we’ve been working on over the last few months that sees the reconfiguration and upgrade of the back studio area. The works create new useable space for our health and wellbeing partners to deliver their community work more easily. The Zone features a new dance studio with air conditioning and sprung floor, a new consultation room and a personal training zone where Max Buchanan is based. Lorn and Islands District General Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department are set to make use of the new space, relocating a number of their services that are better suited to Atlantis’ community environment. On top of the work already completed, we’re planning to convert our existing health and beauty room into an additional consultation room due to the high level of interest from community partners.
Last time, we let you know about the planned renewal of our gym equipment. Well, the new equipment is here! Over the past few weeks, we’ve replaced all of our cardio equipment with new Technogym stations. The new kit is up and running and is already receiving rave reviews from customers who have tried it out.
And staying in the Gym, from the 21st March you’ll no longer have to book a session to use the facility. So, just walk-up and work out!
Atlantis in the Community - ‘making a difference beyond the Centre’
An encouraging sign of the improving situation with Covid-19 is being able to host schools at Atlantis once again. This month, Oban High School held its annual Badminton Championships at the Centre. Despite the two-year absence, entries were high with 63 pupils from all year groups competing including some who were taking part in their very first tournament. Young people are a vital part of what Atlantis is all about - we’re so glad to have schools back with us!
Staff News - ‘the team behind the action’
Congratulations to Cameron Johnson as he accepts a 2-year secondment to work full time with the Healthy Options team. Cameron also recently passed his Level 3 Gym Instructor and will undertake his Level 4 when the opportunity arises. Cameron’s secondment will help strengthen this vital community charity for Oban.
Congratulations also to Keira McIntyre who has recently become our new Relief Duty Manager. Keira kicks off her new role by undertaking a programme of duty management and marketing training over the next few weeks.
Elsewhere in the staff team we’ve been continuing our programme of child protection training. A cohort of the staff team attended ongoing training in the past month with the rest of the team attending similar courses in the coming months.
Finally, it’s a very warm welcome to Amy Gibson who joins our reception team this week. Amy kicks off with her training to become a Receptionist, helping out with your enquiries from the front desk - so say hello when you see her!
Cameron Johnson (centre) with Ian Milarvie and Gill Bruce of Healthy Options