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Posted - 20th June 24

Transforming unused spaces

A new military conference centre opens at Aldershot Garrison

A disused Junior Ranks bar at St Omer Barracks in Aldershot has been converted into a modern conference centre, as part of the Army’s ongoing effort to deliver fit for purpose infrastructure for service personnel.
The new Buller Conference Centre offers an upgraded modernised space for conferences, meetings, and training sessions. The venue will enable effective collaboration, support interactive workshops and facilitate learning development.

The c. £900K conversion project was proposed under Future Soldier, funded by the Army and delivered through the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme. The project delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) contracting to Aspire Defence and D Square has also made a significant contribution to delivering a more efficient Defence estate: repurposing the underused asset rather than building an extension on existing infrastructure has saved over £1M, with a further c. £1M to be saved in future running costs.

Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Basing & Infrastructure, said:
“This refurbished facility is a great example of how ongoing investment across the Army estate is improving the environments where our people live, work and train, while delivering value for money for Defence.

The upgraded facilities will provide personnel at Aldershot Garrison with a great place to network, collaborate and learn. Thank you to everyone involved in the delivery of this impressive project.”

Barry Ray, DIO Programme Delivery Lead, said:
“I am thrilled to see the completion of the Buller Conference Centre and the successful reutilisation of the former Junior Ranks bar. This facility is a great asset for Staff and Service personnel to work, learn and collaborate in a modern working space, whilst reflecting the local history by being named in honour of Buller Barracks.

The quality, speed of delivery and value for money of this facility is a testament to the ongoing collaborative relations between the Army, DIO and Aspire, and the great people we have working with us on this project to whom I offer my thanks.”

Allan Thompson, Chief Executive, Aspire Defence Limited, said:
“The successful conversion stands as a testament to the excellent collaboration between DIO, the Army, Aspire Defence and our key subcontractors.

Rather than mothballing this building it is now a much improved and useful asset to the Army and Aldershot Garrison, providing a fit for purpose facility and adding to its long and proud history.
As we continue to build foundations for the Army’s future, I remain extremely proud of our successful record, delivering long term value for the MOD and our close partnership.:

The new Garrison Conference Centre has been named the ‘Buller Conference and Meeting Centre’ to honour the history of Buller Barracks in Aldershot – an old Training Depot that was closed and handed over to civilian contractors for demolition in 2013. To retain Garrison history, the original metal wording from the front gates of Buller Barracks has been rescued and re-used to form a wall outside the new facility.

An official opening took place on Tuesday 14 May, attended by representatives of the Army, DIO, Aspire Defence and D Square.

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