Full steam ahead for new CalMac themed play area in Oban
A CalMac themed experience is to form part of a heritage play area in the new Rockfield Centre in Oban.
The ferry and harbour operator is making a £5k donation that will see part of the building turned into an 'All at sea' zone, comprising a waiting room, gangway and ship's bridge area complete with real time sea scenes projected onto the walls. It is hoped that the area will make use of some decommissioned equipment from an actual CalMac vessel.
The former Primary School is currently undergoing a complete renovation by Oban Communities Trust into a new cultural hub. Oban is the centre of CalMac's west coast operations with more than 10,000 sailings every year to Coll, Tiree, Colonsay, Barra, Mull, Lismore and Islay.
Picture shows: Oban Communities Trust's Mhairi Ross accepts the donation from CalMac managing director, Robbie Drummond outside the Rockfield Centre.
CalMac's Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Brian Fulton said: 'Historically we have extremely close ties with the town, so were delighted to be approached to get involved with this project.
'The centre presents with an opportunity to make a contribution to a new cultural hub that will be open not just to Oban residents but will be a facility for the island destinations we a support from the town as well. 'This new 'CalMac zone' is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate to children at an early age the importance the company has within the heart of their communities and the potential it presents for a possible career path.'
The area will be designed to be interactive with ships controls and is aimed at children aged 1- 10 years old. Oban Communities Trust's Project Facilitator, Eleanor Mackinnon said: 'We are delighted to have support from CalMac as the first contributor to our heritage play space which will give families the opportunity to delve into the past and experience lots of hands on family fun.'
The Community Trust is delighted that work has started on the main building and hope to have the Rockfield Centre open to the public by 2020.