UK-based developers Kier and Balfour Beatty have completed construction works for the £121m training facility at MOD Lyneham for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
The firms formed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) Hercules for the project, which involved transformation of the former Royal Air Force (RAF) base into a training centre for the army’s Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
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REME is expected to move to the centre early next year.
The project was a part of DIO’s £230m redevelopment plans for the site, and as part of it the JV partners have delivered new and refurbished single living accommodation for trainees, and purpose-built enhanced training facilities including classrooms, training suites and a large outdoor training area.
The construction project also included development of a medical and dental centre, gymnasium and outdoor sports facilities at the centre.
It also involved the refurbishment of offices and the Sergeants and Officers’ Mess, as well as leading to the development of a new extension and REME’s new regimental museum.
The new centre had also reused part of the old RAF station, including the airfield area and runway for outdoor training.
The project was aimed at sustainability and includes around 60,000m2 of new buildings and 65,000m2 of refurbished buildings.
Hercules project director Roger Frost said: "The scale of the 93-week construction project, which spans a 1,200 acre site and has employed over 1,400 individuals at construction peak and 40 local companies during its lifetime, should not be underestimated; it reflects Balfour Beatty and Kier’s reputation for safely delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions."
DIO projects and programme delivery director air vice-marshal Elaine West said: "MoD Lyneham will be a fantastic place to train our military personnel.
"The new facilities will enable the REME to come together in one location. We’re all proud of the contribution we’re making to the armed forces. DIO’s purpose is to support the armed forces by providing what they need to live, work and train and this project ticks all three boxes in one development."
