We've raised the funds for new floodlights!

We've reached an exciting milestone after 3 years of fundraising! The below press release will be going out in the Oban Times this week. What it doesn't mention is that we've ordered the lights, and we'll update you on an installation date when we have it. Thank you to everyone that has fundraised, donated or spread the word!

Press Release

After more than 7,000 volunteer hours over the last 3 years, Oban Lorne RFC SCIO is delighted to confirm that funding has been secured for new floodlights at Glencruitten. This marks the first tangible step towards creating a Sports & Events Hub for Oban, a long-term vision to improve facilities for the whole community.

Alongside the floodlights, the club will also be installing ducting for cabling and vendor stations — vital infrastructure that will allow Oban to host large-scale outdoor events, from music festivals and gigs to cultural celebrations and community gatherings.

Ronald Gordon, Vice President and Project Lead, said:

“This is a massive milestone for us. The floodlights will improve opportunities for people of all ages, but more importantly, the ducting means Oban can now realistically host big outdoor events. That opens the door to sustainable income, which we will reinvest directly into the sports hub facilities for the benefit of the community. We’ve worked tirelessly for three years, and this is proof of what can be achieved when the community pulls together.”

Shaun Sinclair, Club President, added:

“We know the vision has evolved and will continue to adapt, but the goal is the same: facilities that Oban can be proud of. The survey results showed strong demand for both a safe youth space, such as a skate park or pump track, and more events in the town. These floodlights and ducting are the foundation for making both possible.”

Funding for the floodlights has come from a mix of sources:

• £10,000 from the Oban Common Good Fund
• Fundraising by members and community supporters
• Sponsorship and donations from local businesses

Special thanks to:

• Back of Beyond Broadband – sponsor
• Gordon & Strathern Charity Golf Day
• Babcock International - donation
• A&L McRae’s Barrachander Quarry – donating concrete for the foundations
• Stuart Cameron (Cameron Surveys) – topographic surveys
• Sinclair Plant - groundworks
• Many other smaller donations and sponsorships over the last 3 years. Without this support, this milestone would not have been possible.

The club also thanks Argyll & Bute Council for their guidance and support throughout the process.

Next Steps

• Completing the 100-seat stand fundraiser. 62 seats already taken, MKM main sponsor, Scottish Sea Farms donating, John MacLachlan Quarries Ltd (Argyll Resources Group). 38 seats still available at £200/seat - further updates to follow
• Fundraising for pitch fencing, another vital step for hosting events
• Continuing work towards a new running track and clubhouse
• Supporting the Skate Park Committee and working alongside organisations such as Adventure Oban, Atlantis, and others to meet community needs highlighted in the survey

Thank you to sponsors

Whatever you have sponsored over the last 3 years, it has enabled us to operate as a rugby club and build towards this exciting milestone. We have a long way to go, but know that we can’t thank you enough for your support. All 25/26 sponsors will show on our website and social media throughout this season.

This achievement is just the beginning, but it signals a future where Oban has the facilities to thrive — for sport, youth, culture, and community life.