Aldershot Garrison has been the ‘Home of the British Army’ for over 150 years and as such it maintains close links with the local community. In addition to providing a base for over 4,800 Army personnel who frequently deploy world wide on operations and training exercises, the garrison has developed as a centre for sporting excellence and has recently been chosen to host Team GB’s 2012 pre-Olympic Preparation and Processing Camp in the key weeks before the London-based Olympics take place. All Team GB athletes will attend the secure, residential camp at Aldershot’s Centre of Sporting Excellence in an environment that is similar to the Olympic Village.

The huge investment in infrastructure and services made through Project Allenby/Connaught demonstrates the commitment by the MoD to using Aldershot as a significant base for the Army in the 21st Century.

The first building to be completed by the Project in Aldershot Garrison was Wellington House, St Omer Barracks, home to Headquarters Aldershot Garrison as well as housing modern training and education facilities run by 77 Army Education Centre.

Aspire Defence is delivering a construction and refurbishment programme that will result in a dramatic change in the profile of Aldershot. Significant areas of land to the south of Basingstoke Canal will be released as new accommodation and facilities are built in North Camp and the existing St Omer Barracks. This will reduce the geographical footprint of the garrison – but not the range of facilities or numbers accommodated on the garrison.

Land released has been returned to the MoD for inclusion in the Aldershot Urban Development Programme, a joint initiative between the MoD and Rushmoor Borough Council

The programme of construction and redevelopment will last for several years on the garrison and ultimately will provide modern living accommodation including single en-suite rooms for soldiers, dining and leisure facilities.

Already over six, 36 man single living accommodation blocks have been delivered and a total number of 2,400 bed spaces will be provided over the next seven years of the construction programme.

Over 200 soldiers from 27 Transport Regiment took occupation in early 2008 on return from operations in Iraq, moving straight into a modern, comfortable and permanent base.

Additionally, a brand new junior ranks diner, which can cater for up to 1,000 soldiers across two meal time sittings, has been built along with a new training and education centre, all are situated within St Omer Barracks.

In total on Aldershot Garrison over 130 buildings will be demolished, 104 new buildings erected and 36 refurbished.

Facilities Management

In addition to the construction work Aspire Defence is undertaking, we are also delivering a 35 year facilities management contract. With a strong focus on property services, Aspire Defence is supporting the infrastructure and estate for both the existing and new buildings as they are completed.