Structural works complete on new £12m band facility at Sandhurst

The structural phase of a new £12m facility for army musicians at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) has been completed.

Willmott Dixon has completed the phase of work under the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme. 

A topping out ceremony took place to mark completion, with military officials and project partners from the army delivery team and Defence Infrastructure Organisation joining Willmott Dixon to celebrate the project’s progress.  

The purpose-built facility has been designed to house and support the talented musicians who serve in British Army Band Sandhurst, offering a modern and acoustically optimised environment for rehearsals, performances and musical collaboration.  

It can accommodate all 54 members of British Army Band Sandhurst, which performs at passing out parades and Sovereign’s parades, as well as supporting military sporting events and dinner nights with smaller ensembles. The new and refurbished buildings feature an instrument store, music library, offices, rehearsal rooms, storage, changing and toilet facilities, and a crew room. The facility also has sustainable features, with two of the blocks being installed with solar panels and heat source pumps. 

Major General Richard Clements CBE, director of Army Basing and Infrastructure, said: “I am delighted to see the excellent progress on these modern, bespoke facilities for British Army Band Sandhurst and I congratulate the project team on reaching this significant construction milestone. We trust this building will become a flagship facility to inspire future generations of army musicians, who play such an important role in enhancing the reputation of UK Defence both at home and on the global stage.”  

The project is being delivered under the DEO Army Programme, which is investing £3.35bn over 10 years across 35 projects. The programme aims to improve the lived experience for soldiers by delivering an effective and sustainable Army Regular estate.  

Hazel Ide, senior programme manager for the Defence Estate Optimisation Programme, said: “This project has brought old and new together brilliantly and is going to be a fabulous facility which reflects the history of this site alongside a state-of-the-art new and very modern facility. 

“The teams, DIO, army, the site personnel, Willmott Dixon, HLM and Pick Everard have worked together to resolve issues, understand risks, and come up with innovative solutions to some challenging problems to keep the project on track. Only by working together could we have delivered this project the way we have.” 

Adam Worrall, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “I am delighted to be part of such a unique project that will serve as a sanctuary for musical talent within the Army. It will provide a new and modernised building that is high-quality and fit for purpose. I am looking forward to seeing its further progression over the coming months.” 

Construction will complete in 2024.