News

The new Yardley Chase Cadet Training Centre, in Northamptonshire, will replace dilapidated former Second World War facilities that have previously been used by local Army cadets for many years.

East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) is working with principle contractors G F Tomlinson Building Limited of Derby and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to deliver new facilities that can be used by up to 185 cadets and 45 adults at one time.

In order to mark the beginning of the project a number of cadets and adult volunteers from Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR) Army Cadet Force (ACF) were invited to join a selection of local councillors, members of the contract team and representatives from East Midlands RFCA to an event that would see the ground officially broken and mark the beginning of an exciting new development that will be enjoyed by young people for years to come.

The new building, that will be built using low cost economical materials where possible, will house facilities that can be used by up to 185 cadets and 45 adults at one time and will include lecture rooms; office spaces; dining facilities; an indoor training area and indoor shooting range. On completion the former buildings will be demolished and the area landscaped.

Brigadier Harry Nickerson, Commander of 49 (East) Brigade, who has responsibility for Army Cadets within the East Midlands, represented the Army at the event, and was joined by local cadets and LNR ACF’s Commandant Colonel Nick Turner.

Group Captain Nick Sharpe, Chief Executive of the East Midlands RFCA, said: “I’m delighted that work will be starting on the site over the next few days. There have been numerous setbacks over the years meaning this project never got started, but we are now proud to announce that the new facilities should be open and ready to use in about 12 months’ time. The new building will include critical training facilities for the region’s youth, which I am sure will be enjoyed by adult volunteers and cadets from local ACF units as well as other youth organisations in the future.”

Nick Banks, Construction Director at G F Tomlinson Building Limited said: “G F Tomlinson is delighted to be entrusted with construction of this modern training facility for East Midlands RFCA. As an East Midlands regional contractor it is our honour to help in the support of training local young people through the provision of this state of the art scheme.”

DIO Project Manager Sid Goodall said: “We are delighted to be supporting local businesses as we work with G F Tomlinson to deliver this exciting project.”

On completion, the former buildings will be demolished and the area landscaped.

The centre should open to cadets across the area from August 2014, and although primarily for the Army Cadet Force (ACF), the facilities will be bookable by other cadet organisations, reserve and regular forces, local businesses and community based-projects.