Behind the Scenes: June ‘22
What a magical time of year! – this is when we really have to pinch ourselves about the place we get to live. Ok, the weather is a bit changeable but the simple pleasure of going for a walk in daylight at 10pm and staring out at staggering scenery really does take some beating! Read on to find out the latest news from Atlantis as we get our Summer on:
Atlantis in the Community - ‘making a difference beyond the Centre’
One of the great joys of Atlantis being a community-run facility is the way that allows us to help lots of other local clubs and groups. One of these is the Oban Tennis and Squash Club who we’ve worked alongside for many years. This past month we welcomed a new committee to help lead the club into their next chapter. What’s more, in the short-term, that includes celebrating the 50th Anniversary of West Highland Tennis Week in July. With a packed programme of competition and a warm reception of social events, the event attracts players from all across the country and even the world! This year, the tournament is set to welcome a group of American players joining from the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in Texas. Follow West Highland’s news and updates online to find out how you can get involved during the event.
Trial Sunday Opening - ‘Atlantis needs YOUR help’
One of the last remaining impacts of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions at Atlantis Leisure has been the Centre’s continued closure on Sundays. We’re happy to announce that the team is now in a position to experiment with Sunday opening. Starting from the 3rd of July we’re going to trial a return to 7 day opening for 7 weeks only.
All we’re asking is that if you are likely to use Atlantis on a Sunday, that you do so during this trial period if you can. This will help us assess whether Sunday opening is viable going forward. Like you, we have other challenges on the horizon, especially the increase in energy charges so this is a decision we will have to consider very carefully.
From the 3rd July to the 14th of August, all Atlantis Leisure facilities with the exception of the Café will be open 7 days a week - the different opening times for each day are available on our website. Café Atlantis is unable to open on Sundays due to staff shortages. The Café team are currently welcoming applications to help address this.
Now is the time to vote with your feet and make sure your community Centre remains open.
Centre Life - ‘know your building’
In the midst of the whirlwind that is the daily changing action at Atlantis, we do have one dependable element of consistency: maintenance! This month, next on our schedule of priority planned works was the replacement of parts of our antiquated air handling system. Ongoing works to improve the efficiency of our building are an important part of how we transition Atlantis towards a greener future. Getting the pool plant’s energy usage right is one area of the building that can make a hugely positive impact on our consumption as a whole. These latest works have now been added to our list of planned maintenance projects and join other upgrades in our plant room including improvements to our biomass system.
Looking ahead, the Atlantis Summer Holiday Programme is back! For the first time in 3 years, we’re delighted to be able to bring back our holiday programme of activities and fun for our young people. Keep an eye online for more information coming soon!
Cost-of-Living Crisis - ‘how Atlantis is helping you’
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to escalate, we’ve been assessing the ways in which Atlantis needs to react to support the community through the difficult times ahead. We recognise the huge importance of making sure national events have as little an impact as possible on our young people in particular. That’s why we’re launching two new memberships for Junior Swimming and Soft Play in the coming months. The new memberships help to make it as cost effective and beneficial as possible for young people to continue benefiting from Atlantis.
Staff News - ‘the team behind the action’
As ever, we’ve got lots of staff news this month!
We had a wonderful Atlantis evening celebrating our dear Paul Lopez’s 40th Birthday with lots of family, friends and the extended Atlantis community around the BBQ. Paul has worked at Atlantis for 22 of those 40 years and we’re so grateful for his dedicated service and ever cheery smile. Happy Birthday Paul!
Craig MacCorquodale leaves us this summer to head back out to the States. We wish Craig all the very best for his next stint with Camp America.
Two changes to the staff team completed our new sports hub this month. Emma D’Arcy took up her new role as Swimming Development Officer and Kevin Keen took up his new role as PlaySport Development Officer. The Hub’s primary role will be to ensure Atlantis continues to deliver high quality coaching experiences for our young people by rebuilding and training the wider Atlantis team going forward.
A very warm Atlantis welcome to Kieran MacLarty who joins us straight from Oban High School, starting his training as a leisure attendant and pool lifeguard. Kieran joins the team to help deliver our Sunday opening trial. Working closely with Oban High School and employing local young people has long been a hallmark of Atlantis’ contribution to the local community.
And it’s a warm welcome back to Atlantis to Ella MacKechnie as she returns to her role as leisure attendant and swimming coach for the university holidays. Ella’s been away from the business for 2 years and it’s great to have her back!
Paul & Dante Lopez at Paul’s Birthday BBQ