About

Atlantis: the Story

It was 1992 and the Oban area needed a new sports centre to meet its growing leisure needs. Over 30 years on and the Atlantis Leisure story shows that Oban now depends on a dynamic, community-run facility focussed on supporting a wide spectrum of sporting and non-sporting needs.
Atlantis Leisure started as the trading arm of Oban & Lorn Community Enterprise Ltd. The new charitable company took over the management of the existing council-owned swimming pool and adjacent land on a 21 year lease. Thus began a unique relationship with Argyll & Bute Council that has helped shape and maintain Atlantis’ independent, community-focussed way of working.

For the Community: by the Community

Atlantis’ primary priority is how it can best serve the needs of the community that it has helped nurture. The charity is steered by a volunteer board of directors who receive no reward for their involvement. The Board oversee the reinvestment of all profits and surplus back into the fabric of the centre, organisation and community groups it supports. In stark contrast to other similar facilities, Atlantis’ management is completely independent and autonomous from local authorities or franchises. This allows each decision regarding the future to be made in line with the needs of the community.

People. Place. Purpose.

The Atlantis story so far is one of people, place and purpose. Ensuring everything we do helps our core focus of meeting the needs of our community, we’re able to continue to reinvest into our surrounding environment - meaning we’ll be here for the next 25 years’ worth of Argyll families and community.

We also support elite athletes in the area to reduce the financial burden of costs associated with the use of facilities and enable talented sportspeople to train and reach their full potential.