Social hub work completed on Defence College

Work is now complete on the Catering, Retail and Leisure (CRL) facility on the site of the new Defence College of Logistics, Policing and Administration (DCLPA) at Worthy Down.

The new building is part of a £250M complex that the Defence Infrastructure Organisation is building at Worthy Down in Hampshire.

The facility includes four bars, a large dining room, kitchens, recreational areas, food court and shopping facilities.

The internal fit out of the Catering, Retail and Leisure facility is now due to get underway.

Once fully operational, the CRL will become a social hub for the Junior Ranks, providing a central meeting place and leisure facility for permanent staff and visiting students.

The CRL is one of 26 buildings that DIO is delivering that will provide a blend of technical training, classroom facilities and accommodation.

Situating the tri-services’ training on one site will support centralised training and provide better resources, with the Ministry of Defence stating that the Defence College will allow them to more effectively and efficiently train personnel.

The Royal Logistics Corps Museum will also relocate to Worthy Down into a purpose built exhibition space, which will be available for soldiers, families and community use.

Peter Riches, DIO Project Manager for the project, said: “DIO supports service personnel by providing a fit-for-purpose estate and accommodation so we’re pleased to be working with Skanska to deliver these facilities.

“The CRL will provide students from the college with a first class, modern leisure and recreational facility that should make their overall experience of the college a pleasant one.”

The DCLPA will offer specialist training facilities and modern accommodation for up to 1,500 students, designed in a series of ‘villages’; one for Junior Ranks, one for Officers and one for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs).

Brigadier Steve Shirley, who will be in charge of the college when it opens, said: “The CRL building will provide both our students and staff with a modern meeting place where they can enjoy much-earned recreational time. The facilities are superb. I am very proud to be leading on such a prominent project that will bring modern, multi-purpose facilities to Worthy Down.”

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