Army opens new Soldiers' Centre to boost sense of community among recruits at ATC Pirbright

A new facility aimed at promoting wellbeing and a sense of community among British Army recruits has opened at the Army Training Centre Pirbright.

The Soldiers' Centre will offer centralised welfare support for the recruits living at the centre.

For many, it may be their first time away from family and friends as they take on the 13-week basic training course.

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The new two-storey purpose-built facility has a cinema, music room and social areas, as well as retail and food outlets.

Additionally, it will provide a space for families attending pass off parades.

Warrant Officer First Class Paul Carney, Army Sergeant Major and the most senior soldier in the Army, was present at the centre's opening.

He said basic training is a "massive transition for every recruit", with the new centre giving them the chance to "share that experience with others away from their rooms".

WO1 Carney added that the opening of the centre shows the Army's investment in facilities Britain's soldiers "deserve".

"The welfare of our future soldiers is important to us and by providing a central hub to ATC Pirbright we give the recruits that opportunity," he said.

"The Soldiers' Centre is a modern central hub for our recruits to be able to relax, enjoy themselves and network with future friends and colleagues."

In total, the new building cost £11m, with £7m contributed by the Army Central Fund (ACF).

The Army's Director Personnel and chair of the ACF, Major General Sam Humphris, said the ACF "provides grant funding to improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of serving British Army personnel and their immediate families". 

"We are extremely proud of the leadership gift we made to enable delivery of this modern, high-quality welfare facility, which will support the morale of recruits and provide enduring benefit to them and their families," he said.

Modern methods were used to build the centre, with it contributing to local efforts to reduce the Army's carbon footprint.

This included installing solar panels to enable the generation of on-site renewable energy.

Major General Richard Clements, Director of Basing and Infastructure, opened the building.

He said the centre is "an outstanding facility that will promote wellbeing and foster a sense of community among recruits at ATC Pirbright".

"This project also demonstrates our extensive investment in modernising our estate, supporting future capability, and enhancing the environments where our soldiers live, work and train," he said.