£11m Welfare Centre Revamps Army Training at Pirbright
Construction has kicked off on a brand-new £11 million welfare centre at the Army Training Centre (ATC) in Pirbright, Surrey. The state-of-the-art Alexander Barracks Soldiers Centre (ABSC) is set to transform support for recruits starting their Army careers.
Central Hub for Recruits Opens Soon
ATC Pirbright runs the Army’s crucial Phase 1 Training—a 14-week boot camp that gears up adult recruits for their specialised trade training. The ABSC will replace scattered welfare facilities across the site with one slick, central hub, ready to open in 2024.
Delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and jointly funded by the British Army and the Army Central Fund (ACF) charity, the project officially broke ground on 16 March. Attendees included senior Army officials, contractors Henry Brothers, and designers WSP.
Top Brass Praise New Soldiers Centre
Brigadier Richard Brown, Head of Infrastructure Plans (Army), said: “The Alexander Barracks Soldiers Centre will make a significant and positive contribution to the experience of recruits embarking on their Army career at ATC Pirbright. Infrastructure is about people – not buildings – and this project is one of many examples of the increasing investment across the Army estate that is improving how our soldiers live, work and train.”
Major General Aidan Smyth, Deputy Commander Field Army, representing the ACF, added: “I am delighted to see work get underway on the Alexander Barracks Soldiers Centre. The Army Central Fund awards grants to projects that contribute to the well-being of serving soldiers and their families. We are extremely proud to play our part in delivery of this new facility, which will support and maintain morale for recruits at ATC Pirbright.”
Eco-Friendly Design with Modern Facilities
Designed by WSP, the 2,000m2, two-storey ABSC will feature retail and food outlets plus a spacious family area for passing-out parades. Built to hit Net Zero targets and earn an ‘Excellent’ DREAM rating, it will boast a sustainable Glulam structural frame and rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Programme Director – Army, said: “DIO is proud to be involved in delivering this impressive welfare facility. It’s the first step in a major site redevelopment at Pirbright and will improve recruits’ lives while supporting the Government’s Net Zero commitment.”
David Henry, Managing Director of Henry Brothers, said: “We’re thrilled to build the new Soldiers Centre at Alexander Barracks. This will be a modern social and well-being space with everything recruits need under one roof. Our extensive defence sector experience makes us proud to play a role in this prestigious project, supporting soldiers who train here for years to come.”
Part of Army’s Future Soldier Vision
The Alexander Barracks project is part of a joint Defence Estate Optimisation and Army Estate Modernisation Programme, supporting the future Soldier Academy. It’s a vital step in the Army’s Integrated Review, bringing all Regular Army non-combat basic training under one roof to create a world-class Centre of Excellence.
