Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust A Presentation by Community Links Scotland

1. Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development TrustA Presentation by Community Links Scotland Three Villages Community Campus

2. Background 1997: Arrochar Outdoor Centre closed leaving lack of community space for the area • This added to the loss of the pier, torpedo range and football field. The area seemed to be in decline

3. Background continued • 2001: Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust formed • Aim: to improve quality of life for local residents • Ambition: to deliver a new community hall for the area

4. Involvement of Community Links Scotland • CLS became involved in 2002 through Dunbritton Housing Association who secured funding for our work • Our remit: to assist the Trust with capacity building, securing funding and progressing the project

5. What happened next… • Architect appointed with funding secured by CLS • Following community consultation, plans were developed for the new Three Villages Community Hall • At the same time, Arrochar public toilets were closed, leaving a prime, loch-side, central site. This was identified as the site for the Three Villages Community Hall

6. The Pit Stop Diner • 2004: Pit Stop Diner (adjacent to proposed Hall site) up for sale • Opportunity for Trust to purchase and operate as a social business to benefit local community, offering training and employment opportunities and securing a local service • CLS produced Business Plan and helped Trust to secure £150,000 to purchase

7. Three Villages Community Hall • CLS secured funding for fundraising consultants who secured initial capital funding exceeding £550,000 • After that, the public toilets were demolished and the site landscaped, paid for by Scottish Enterprise • Planning permission was granted for the Three Villages Community Hall and CLS were asked to secure the remaining match funding

8. Where the funding came from… Total £1,155,390 Lottery Gannochy Trust Robertson Trust Hugh Fraser Foundation Argyll and Bute Council Argyll and Bute Council (outdoor centre receipt) Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Arrochar and Tarbet Community Development Trust Argyll and the Islands LEADER £553,477 £20,000 £10,000 £10,000 £50,000 £305,000 £25,000 £12,000 £169,913

9. The finished article The Three Villages Community Hall opened in February 2010 providing: • Space for hire for meetings, activities and functions • A home for community groups and activities To book: see website: www.arrocharandtarbet.co.uk

10. The Wider Community Campus 2008: Marine Action Group discussing potential new pontoon development Trust viewpoint: • Desire to improve the visitor offer from the Pit Stop • Opportunity to bid for SRDP funding with SPT as match 2009: Village named Calor Gas Village of the Year- spurred on more community action 2010: further funding confirmed for the area: SRDP Rural Priorities: £641,000 SPT(proposed): £500,000

11. Next steps Final match funding for pontoon and visitor centre to be secured Partnership agreement being developed between Argyll and Bute Council and the Trust for moving forward the remaining Campus developments Move into a new era for Arrochar as a vibrant community location and an accessible gateway to the Argyll Forest, Arrochar Alps, Loch Lomond, Loch Long and further afield

12. Lessons learned These developments take time: be prepared for this (from 1999 developing initial thoughts to 2010 opening Hall) Must have local ownership and drive Must have support from local agencies, in this case Argyll and Bute Council (in particular elected members) and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Make use of the local skills base and hire professional support if required

13. Questions