Tyneside reservist base receives £3.1m renovation

HMS Calliope has completed a £3.1 renovation which will enable Royal Marines Reserves from RMR Scotland to be based there for the first time.

The move is part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Future Reserves 20 programme which envisages the co-location of both the Royal Navy Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve units on Tyneside, in order to reduce the overall infrastructure cost of the Maritime Reserve.

The renovation includes: a larger area for training; accommodation space for 24 users; new classroom and office facilities; a state of the art fitness suite with climbing wall; and improvements to the external appearance of the building.

The developments are aimed at providing benefits not only to the Royal Naval Reserves and Royal Marines Reserves, but also the other units currently based at HMS Calliope. The users will include the Defence Training Undergraduate Scheme, the University Royal Naval University Unit and the local Armed Forces Careers Office.

David Brookes, DIO Requirements manager for the project, said: “Investing in infrastructure to deliver military capability is a huge part of DIO’s role so I’m delighted to have been involved in this project. The work we’ve undertaken at HMS Calliope will provide Tyneside’s dedicated naval and Royal Marines reservists with a top-quality facility as well as allowing the MOD to save money by co-locating both units.”

Lieutenant Commander David King, Royal Navy staff officer HMS Calliope, said: “This investment has significantly improved the training, office and fitness facilities available to both reservists and other units within HMS Calliope, as well as creating a much more attractive building which is at the heart of a vibrant quayside. This will help us to attract and retain the best talent in the region as part of the Ministry of Defence’s drive to increase the number of reservists by 2020.”