Behind the Scenes: August ‘24
And just like that, the leaves are bronzing, stunning sunsets stop us in our tracks and we start thinking about digging out those warmer coats: Autumn is here! True to form, the last month has been as busy as ever here at Atlantis Leisure. Read on to find out what we’ve been busy with over the last while at your community-run leisure centre:
Some of the Summer Sensations crew!
Gymnastics – ‘…“vault” a laugh!’
We had a great time earlier in the month as we hosted the Gymnastics Activity Instructor course. Participants came along to Atlantis from as far afield as Mull, Dunoon and Tayvallich. They joined our own coaches with Kevin, Lucy, Hannah attending alongside our new Gymnastics coach Georgia Sayer-Mitchell. This was a four-day course which now allows us to coach the ‘RISE’ gymnastics programme. ‘RISE’ is all about making activity accessible and encourages a learning environment by keeping the focus on having fun!
Staff News – ‘the team behind the action’’
Georgia isn’t the only new face you’ll have seen around Atlantis over the last month. We also have three new additions in James Muir, Cailean Dairon and Sam MacKinnon. The trio have joined our lifeguarding team. You may well recognise Sam as he joins the team after volunteering at our holiday camps and PlaySport programme.
Sam’s story is a great example of how the various programmes and activity curriculums we run here at Atlantis can act as very effective career pipelines for our community’s young people whilst they navigate the transition from school to the world of work.
Ellie MacInnes has also joined us this month and settled into team brilliantly. Ellie has completed her reception training and will take part in the RLSS NPLQ in early October. Ellie comes to us with a lot of experience in the business and we’re excited to benefit from her many qualifications and understanding.
Be sure and say hi to James, Cailean, Sam, Ellie and Georgia if you see them around the Centre!
Centre Life – ‘know your building’
Last time, we let you know about the recent attention we’ve been giving the female dry change showers. Well, we’re pleased to let you know that all the work is now completed and we’re ready for your inspection! You’ll find new cubicles as well as refreshed wall panelling and fixtures & fittings. The remainder of the Dry Side changing area is a longer project, we’ll keep you posted as and when funding allows us to progress further improvements.
Community – ‘a Sensational Summer’
Like every year, earlier this summer Atlantis hosted part of Summer Sensations – a collaborative event with Oban High School that forms the culmination of the transitions programme for new P7 year groups moving up to secondary school. The event has a strong focus on fun and plays an important role in giving the new year group a chance to get to know one another ahead of the new school year. This socialising element is incredibly important for the continued health of rural communities like ours. Some of our young people will be starting at Oban High having left primary schools where the entire school roll is in single figures. They join scores of young people from across the region in an experience that can be daunting and disorienting, particularly for those from outlying areas that might also be calling Glencruitten Hostel their midweek home for the first time. Summer Sensations introduces these young people to the Atlantis team, providing a familiar, safe environment for them as they start out on the next step of their academic journey.