The British Army Sandhurst Band is set to receive a major upgrade with the construction of a new purpose-built facility. The project, which is being delivered by the Defence Estate Optimization (DEO) Army Programme, involves new build and refurbishing works and will cost £3.35 billion over the next 10 years. The project is due to be completed in Autumn/Winter 2024 and will comprise of rehearsal rooms, an instrument store, a music library, offices, storage, changing and toilet facilities, and a crew room.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held on Thursday, February 9th, and was attended by representatives from Army Infra Delivery, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), and RMAS. Belinda Lunn, DEO Army Programme Director, expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “This project is an excellent example of the improvements we are making across the Army estate to increase how work, & train, soldiers live,”
The new facility will provide the musicians of the British Army Sandhurst Band with the purpose-built space they need to train as a military band. The band, which is comprised of 54 musicians from The Royal Corps of Army Music, is one of 15 Regular Army Bands in the British Army. Based in Surrey, the Sandhurst Band is a symphonic wind band that includes a string quartet and supports State Ceremonial and Public Duties, commemorative, celebratory, and repatriation events, provides contributions to UK influence at home and abroad, and supports the UK through community engagement and events.
“We are extremely proud,” said Adam Worrall, Director from Willmott Dixon, “to be delivering this bespoke facility for serving personnel at Sandhurst in partnership with the Army and DIO.”We look forward to hearing some of the concerts delivered by the Band following the completion of this brilliant project, which aims to improve the army estate for its soldiers.
In conclusion, the new build band facility at Sandhurst will be a significant improvement for the British Army Sandhurst Band and its musicians. The project is a testament to the DEO Army Programme’s commitment to enhancing the lives of soldiers by delivering an affordable, effective, and sustainable Army Regular estate.
The new facility is expected to provide the musicians with the space they need to train and perform to the best of their abilities, and the public can look forward to enjoying the concerts delivered by the Band once the project is completed.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
