The RFCA Estates team completed another building upgrade to improve the cadet experience for cadets and the adults who train them of Long Stratton Army Cadets in Norfolk.
Sergeant Richard Fry said: “The recent upgrade works have made an impressive difference to the Cadet experience. As a Detachment Commander the upgraded building which includes a new kitchen, new flooring ,as well as a complete overhaul of the heating and electrics provides the perfect environment to deliver Cadet training. As a former Long Stratton Army cadet myself I’m proud to be able to see the building providing the future generation of Army Cadets with facilities that reflect the excellent training that Norfolk Army Cadet force offers young people across the county.
He added: “Our Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers are extremely proud of making the most of the upgraded facilities for years to come.”
Works to the building included:
- New roof and roof space insulation
- New exterior weatherboard
- Internal & external decorations
- New flooring
- New water heater
- New LED lighting & low energy heaters installed
- New kitchen units with low-flow taps
- New sanitaryware with water-saving cysterns
RFCA staff and members are determined to provide cadet units in the region with modern and efficient places to train. Our project manager Steve Willis led this refurbishment. Steve and the Estates team are responsible for about 500 buildings across the region, spread across almost 200 sites. He personally visits the sites to ensure the buildings are compliant with all statutory regulations, and manages projects end-to-end from writing specifications to handing the keys back to the detachment commander. Steve and the Estates team are proud to make upgrades to buildings where possible; installing energy-saving features, improving lighting, heating, and accessibility. The project was funded from income generated locally from non-domestic rate rebates and from hiring out surplus capacity on our estate to other uniformed services.
The Estates team temporarily re-located the cadets to the local community centre while the refurbishment took place. The cadet centre is on the grounds of the Long Stratton High School, which is very practical for the cadets, who meet weekly on Tuesday nights from 7pm to 9:30pm.
