News
February 27th 2024
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire re-opens Joint Cadet Centre in Boston
Boston Sea, Army and Air Cadet units are all now stationed under one roof after the completion of work to refurbish a Joint Cadet Centre.
The former Army Reserve Centre on Main Ridge West has been modernised to create fit-for-purpose facilities for the dozens of Cadets that will now call the building home.
The historic building’s frontage has undergone a makeover as part of the project to make it more inviting to existing and new Cadets, who add so much value to society.
The on-site garage was demolished to make way for off-street parking and a small parade area.
The former mess area was also converted into a classroom, storeroom and office space whilst the existing drill hall, classroom spaces and break area were refurbished, all to improve the Cadet experience.
Boston Sea Cadets and the Boston Detachment of Lincolnshire Army Cadets were already based on site prior to the refurbishment. However, the improvement works have enabled 141 (Boston) Squadron Air Cadets to join them.
On Wednesday, 21st February, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis, officially opened the site at a ceremony attended by approximately 70 Cadets.
Modern and fit-for-purpose
East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (East Midlands RFCA) manages a vast portfolio of 161 Cadet and Reserve sites in the region, including the Boston Joint Cadet Centre.
Stuart Williams Chief Executive of East Midlands RFCA, said: “We are very proud to officially open Boston’s Joint Cadet Centre.
“Thanks to the refurbishment work carried out as part of the Defence Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme, new life has been breathed into this special building, which dates back more than 100 years.
“Bringing the Sea, Army and Air Cadets together marks the start of an exciting new chapter with an improved experience and new opportunities.”
The work at Boston was part of the Ministry of Defence’s Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme (REOP), of which East Midlands RFCA is a delivery agent, to ensure there are modern and fit-for-purpose Cadet Centres for generations to come.
As separate organisations, the Cadet branches have traditionally occupied separate buildings with their facilities only being used a few nights a week.
Where deemed appropriate following a detailed analysis of factors such as travel distance, public transport infrastructure, and the sustainability of sites, REOP is bringing these units together to create Joint Cadet Centres at sites such as Boston which have unrealised potential.
Similar projects at Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, and Eckington, Derbyshire, have also now been completed as part of tranche one of REOP.
Work to create new Joint Cadet Centres at Glenfield and Market Harborough, Leicestershire, and Ripley, Derbyshire, are expected to begin shortly.
