News
August 23rd 2024
REOP: project to future-proof Cadet Centres approaches major milestone
When Cadets return to parading after Summer Camps, almost all of the sites identified for development as part of the Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme (REOP) will have been transformed.
In excess of £1.5 million has been invested into modernising and making Joint Cadet Centres (JCCs) in Boston, Brimington, Eckington, Glenfield, Market Harborough, Market Rasen and Ripley fit-for-purpose to accommodate greater numbers.
Martin Capewell is the Head of Estates at East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, the REOP delivery agent in the region.
He said: “As REOP reaches a major milestone, it’s pleasing to see the project is delivering what it promised: modern, fit-for-purpose Cadet Centres for generations to come.
“The Cadet Forces add so much value to society and it is important they have welcoming training spaces that are both financially and environmentally sustainable. Making this happen has been a challenging but rewarding experience.”
Ministry of Defence review
REOP began in the second half of 2022. The project, part of the Ministry of Defence’s wider review into its ageing estate with its historic footprint, looks to address underutilisation of Cadet Centres.
Traditionally, the Army and RAF Air Cadets have occupied separate buildings, sometimes a short distance from each other, with their facilities only being used a few nights a week.
As a result of REOP, some centres have been closed and the savings re-invested to ensure the sites units move into are attractive with adequate store rooms and office spaces.
Importantly, no Cadet units will close as a result of the programme.
Progress
Since we last reported on the programme’s progress extensive refurbishments have been completed at sites in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.
Eckington Army Cadet Detachment’s centre has benefited from a complete inside-out refurbishment. New stores and office spaces are in place to welcome 2000 Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC), which will move a short distance from their previous home. Smart screens and a new outdoor teaching space have also been added.
In February, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis, officially re-opened Boston’s JCC (pictured above), which is now home to the area’s Sea, Air and Army Cadet units.
1084 (Market Harborough) Squadron ATC’s Cadet Centre, situated on the edge of an expansive green space with the town’s football, athletics and rugby clubs nearby, is now ready to welcome the local Army Detachment. While the Cadet Centre has been expanded over the years, the new sections have been built without a grand vision of how best to configure the overall space. This has now been addressed which, alongside accessibility improvements and the creation of a new office and store room, have made the space more functional and user-friendly.
Over in Market Rasen, an extension with a new store and office space has been built on 2292 Squadron ATC’s centre to accommodate the town’s Army Detachment. Cadet facilities have been completely refurbished and a new kitchen installed.
The final project to come to a close is the complete overhaul of 2070 (Glenfield) Squadron ATC’s school-based centre, adding new office and storage space for the incoming Army Cadets. A new kitchen fit out and accessibility improvements were also part of the development work.
Work to build an extension at Ripley Detachment’s Cadet Centre that at Ripley Academy is the only outstanding project as part of tranche 1 of REOP. To avoid disrupting children’s learning, work to create more facilities for the incoming Jacksondale and Heanor Detachments has mainly taken place outside of term time. This is due for completion later in the year.
Following re-evaluation, other projects previously included in REOP have since been withdrawn.
Extensions and reconfigurations have been a key part of REOP to ensure Cadets have the spaces they need. However, the project has also taken time to improve the estate’s energy efficiency by upgrading lighting and heating systems and tackled burdensome maintenance regimes through roof repairs, demolishing old chimneys and upgrading toilet and drainage systems.
Tranche 2
As the development work is – except for the odd snag – now completed, Cadet units will be putting plans in place to move into their new homes.
When work at Ripley finishes, tranche 1 of phase 1 of REOP will come to a close. All eyes will then turn to tranche 2 and the creation of new build JCCs at Skegness and Stamford.
