£6.8m lecture hall refurb to support soldiers’ training at Warminster

A major refurbishment project is underway at Warminster Garrison to provide a state of the art educational and training facility for the Army.

Blenheim Hall at Waterloo Lines, which houses three separate lecture theatres, is undergoing a £6.8m complete refit and redesign. Every Army officer passes through Blenheim Hall at various stages of their career and this refurbishment will significantly enhance their learning experience.

Asbestos removal is currently underway, before contractors undertake the extensive remodelling of the building, due to complete in August 2021.

The scope of works being carried out over the next year comprises:

• complete rewiring and new lighting
• replacement of the heating system, ceilings, flooring, windows and doors
• upgrading the washroom facilities
• decoration throughout
• The lecture seating and PA system will be replaced and new breakout rooms constructed, to enhance delivery of training courses and educational programmes to Army personnel.

Allan Thomson, Chief Executive of Aspire Defence Limited, said:

“This is our most significant and complex lifecycle project heading into 2021. It’s an excellent example of the substantial investment being made under our contract to ensure soldiers live, work and train in the best possible environments.”

The improved asset will also become the new home for Aspire Media Services, which provides graphic design and videography services to the military customer and is currently located in a smaller building elsewhere on the garrison.

The Blenheim Hall refurbishment is being carried out by Aspire Defence Services Limited, with funding from Aspire Defence Limited under the Project Allenby/Connaught (PAC) contract. Under PAC, Aspire Defence builds and maintains modern, high quality facilities on garrisons across Wiltshire and at Aldershot on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.