PriDE manages Defence Estates’ South East Regional Prime Contract (SE RPC). Valued at around £380m, the SE RPC is one of five regional prime contracts currently in place in the UK.

Site: SAA Middle Wallop (AAC)

Project: Officers Mess Kitchen Refurbishment

Increased volume, capacity and quality, from a new modern kitchen, changing and dining facility

Delivery

A modern kitchen incorporating latest technology and equipment, with staff changing facilities complete with a redecorated dining room.

Innovation

High quality Mess facility constructed sympathetically with the adjacent existing accommodation.

Added Value

Full application of the Prime Contracting model leading to a fully integrated team approach to construction and improved processes.

Contract Value/Programme

Circa £2.1m - Delivered in 52 weeks.

Background

Middle Wallop is home to the Army Air Corps (AAC), and conducts all levels of flying training. The Officers Mess building incorporates Single Living Accommodation (SLA), public rooms, kitchen and a large dining room. The population of the Mess has almost doubled recently, necessitating an additional two SLA wings. Additional training commitments will further increase occupation levels.

The previous kitchen failed to meet basic food safety standards and urgently required an upgrade to meet demand. The planned increase in throughput doubles the Mess living-in strength, consequently it has been directed that the kitchen be upgraded to satisfy these requirements as a matter of high priority. The kitchen was well undersize for the number of meals being prepared. The last major refurbishment of the area is believed to have taken place in the late seventies; it was therefore inefficient, expensive to maintain and not fit for purpose. This was confirmed by the MOD’s Defence Catering Group, who inspected the kitchen and reported it as undersized with a risk of cross contamination.

This Core Works project rectified this shortfall in the provision by constructing an extension and a complete refurbishment of the existing facility, capable of accommodating the increased number of covers and providing a temporary kitchen to provide meals during the construction.