DIO Delivers Critical Rehabilitation Facilities to the Royal Marines
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) recently completed a new Physical and Remedial Training Centre for 40 Commando Royal Marines (40 Cdo RM ) at Norton Manor Camp in Somerset.
Sarawak Gym, named in recognition of 40 Commando’s involvement in the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation from 1962 to 1966, was opened at an official ceremony by Lieutenant Colonel Matt Jackson Royal Marines, Commanding Officer 40 Commando Royal Marines.
The new building delivered by DIO, working with regional industry partner Debut Services (South West) Limited, will provide essential modern sports facilities to support the physical well being of unit personnel.
Also housed within the new building is a dedicated remedial suite to support the rehabilitation of injured Marines returning from overseas operations as well as those injured through the day to day rigours of training in the UK. These amenities replace the old facilities housed in a drill shed dating from the 1940s, built during the Second Word War.
Positioned adjacent to the Medical and Dental Centre, also previously delivered by DIO and Debut in 2009, the new facilities will greatly improve efficiency and support provided to service personnel, allowing a speedy recovery back to operational fitness. This will in turn help improve the operational capability of 40 Cdo RM.
Lieutenant Colonel Jackson, Commanding Officer 40 Cdo RM said:
“This is a superb facility. 40 Commando, DIO and Debut have worked as a dedicated team to design and deliver a gymnasium from which all personnel serving at the Unit will benefit for many years to come. I am extremely pleased with the result.”
The new facilities incorporate a gym/rehabilitation area; sauna; first aid room; passenger lift; main hall, with an indoor climbing wall, electronic score board and instructional gallery; a combat training area, with soft landing floor suitable for contact/combat sports; fitness training room; squash courts; sufficient storage for equipment; changing rooms, showers and toilets; laundry room and offices.
Sandra Dickie, Navy Command Infrastructure formerly RNIO, Capability Manager for the project stated:
“This new striking building funded by the Royal Navy provides the Royal Marines Norton Manor Camp with a first class modern up to date complex, equipped to a high standard. It gives personnel at the establishment excellent training, rehabilitation and recreational facilities.
“These facilities will be a great asset in assisting fitness and maintaining personnel well being and morale. Whilst only joining the project mid way through its development it has been a pleasure to be part a team who has very successfully ensured delivery of this fine new building.”
The new building will provide enhanced environmental performance, through the incorporation of a number of sustainable technologies, including: sun tubes, to provide daylight to circulation and deep plan changing areas; solar thermal panels to provide hot water to the changing facilities and wind-catchers, to provide natural ventilation to the two storey element and deep plan single storey areas. Excavated materials were re-used within the construction, and soft landscaping scheme.
The design also accommodates an essential piece of equipment for the rehabilitation of injured personnel, an anti-gravity treadmill, donated to the unit by Help for Heroes. This patented NASA technology allows for precise partial weight bearing that enables rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries by using air in a pressure-controlled chamber to gently lift the user, which decreases pressure on injured joints and protects healing tissue.
Emily Simmons, DIO Project Manager commented:
“DIO’s priority is supporting our Armed Forces. The design accommodates an essential piece of equipment for the rehabilitation of injured personnel, an anti-gravity treadmill, donated to the Unit by Help for Heroes.
“This patented NASA technology allows for precise partial weight bearing that enables rehabilitation of lower extremity injuries by using air in a pressure-controlled chamber to gently lift the user, which decreases pressure on injured joints and protects healing tissue.”
Paul Nix, Debut and Lend Lease Core Works Director, added:
“I am extremely proud of our project team as they have yet again successfully delivered an essential facility, for the Royal Marines. We have built a strong relationship with DIO’s site estate team at Norton Manor Camp and I was delighted that Lend Lease was also able to assist by donating funds to ensure that a vital piece of equipment was moved across to the new facilities.”
Further information:
Press enquiries to: Tony Moran, DIO Senior Communications Officer : 0121 311 3879 or tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.mod.uk/dio
Notes to editors:
1.Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
2. Its work includes providing, supporting and improving: operational units; single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, heritage protected and environmental goals achieved.
3. Debut Services is a Joint Venture company between Lend Lease and Babcock International Group and was formed in response to the MoD's Prime Contracting Initiative to implement the Egan and Latham principles and drive efficiency and best value across the defence estate. In addition to the Regional Prime Contract for the South West, Debut is also successfully managing the Functional Prime Contract to build, refurbish and maintain Single Living Accommodation for HM Armed Forces (Project SLAM).
4. Photo caption – please credit photo ‘Crown copyright/MOD 2012’:
Outside Sarawak Gym, at Norton Manor Camp. From left, Simon Gibbs, Debut Area Project Manager; Lieutenant Colonel Jackson, Commanding Officer 40 Cdo RM; Peter Haig, Debut Project Manager; Emily Simmons, DIO Project Manager; Steve Grinter, DIO Site Estate Team Leader.
Tags:
