(not so) interesting conversation in the pub the other day got me thinking…
…If I were a Sqn Cdr and I had a pot of cash available for construction of a new Sqn building, be it for classrooms a range or something else. In these times of “No self builds” could we apply to to the relevant RFCA to get them to project manage and build us a new building with the unit picking up the bill?
Are there any instances of Sqns doing such things?
Please don’t turn this into an RFCA bashing topic!
Interesting question. I guess if you had a million quid laying about, and purchased the land outright (with a trust fund to pay any taxes etc), then they would have to put up a compelling argument to not build it.
Without RFCA bashing, If I had that sort of money laying around, then I could think of better people to project manage a building than RFCA. I’d be tempted to approach a local firm and ask them to do it, at a reduced rate, in exchange for them having their name all over a building dedicated to Youth.
The question is though, if you had a couple of million quid available, and could get this through the relevant approvals, what would you put in the building?
Oh, and examples of other squadrons trying to do it - Try Thurston squadron. Not sure it worked out well for them though.
I recall reading that 134 (Bedford) Sqn acquired a new build HQ through an agreement with a local developer. Not sure what RFCA’s involvement in the process was.
I know a few places who’ve had new buildings as part of a developer contract when redeveloping old TA Centres which they bought for £10 into a multimillion pound set of “maisonettes”. Unfortunately for us, TAVRA (at the time) said we’re fine with our Spooner, and build a new ACF centre rather than forward thinking and building a joint complex from the outset!
When we finally had a rebuild, we were told to close for 12-18 months, and caused a grief when we agreed as a Squadron to fund our own premises over the rebuild period (which RFCA subsequently part funded as a “good will gesture”). However, it was very much “against the grain” for us to self fund our premises for that period…
The only thing I can think of at the moment is that you shouldn’t let your CivCom transfer all that said money into a “Trust fund” to help you build a new building!!! 
It won’t happen really unless you build to RFCAs specification. The issue lies with the post-build adoption element where RFCA are required to maintain the building (via HQAC funding). They aren’t going to want to pay to replace your leaky UFH, broken gold taps in the officers mess, repair the shagpile in the WOs office etc etc.
The only other way would be as described. Work out some PFI type initiative where the trust build a facility and “rent it back” to HQAC. The repairs are done via the trust. You would have to show financial viability and security for 50-odd years though.
Hmmmm, with the Euromillions raffle tonight (100 UK millionaires) might be worth dropping the squadron account on it to fund a new building.
Thats ok isnt it?
This has been a “pub” topic for several years and started when a Muslim apparently not allowed to gamble won £20 million.
The fly in the ointment as far as we were concerned is RFCA. We bet they’d come up with umpteen bits for the design, that you had to conform to.
My idea would be buy the land/building outright, build/refurb it and lease it back to RFCA on 999 year lease, with the rent going to me with 50% going to the sqn. I’ve seen some really good sites locally that would be ideal, one of which is an old primary school, with playground and field.
I’d want a range, and armoury, a largeish sports field with some woodlands attached. A radioroom, a drill hall large eenough to do drill in, a few classrooms, a room for canteen, toilets, a shower block, changing rooms, an office, a large store, external storage (lots of).
What more could you want?
[quote=“pEp” post=9586]I’d want a range, and armoury, a largeish sports field with some woodlands attached. A radioroom, a drill hall large eenough to do drill in, a few classrooms, a room for canteen, toilets, a shower block, changing rooms, an office, a large store, external storage (lots of).
What more could you want?[/quote]
A very large mahogany desk, a tall electric fence, DCCT, helicopter pad with my own AH64…
Many leather bound books.
It would cost a bomb to have all the ACP’s, ACTO’s, AP’s and JSP’s bound in leather.
On the other hand, i know quite a few ladies who wouldn’t charge anything to be bo… :woohoo:
I’m… kind of a big deal.
[quote=“pEp” post=9586]I’d want a range, and armoury, a largeish sports field with some woodlands attached. A radioroom, a drill hall large eenough to do drill in, a few classrooms, a room for canteen, toilets, a shower block, changing rooms, an office, a large store, external storage (lots of).
What more could you want?[/quote]
sounds like a TA centre…
question: if you had a million quid burning a hole in your shorts, would you buy a new Squadron building, or would you buy an ‘away centre’ you could use every weekend?
Squadron buildings are glorified sheds which are only just functional.
If you had one in the right position and sufficient land you could use it every weekend.
For an away centre you could buy a couple of areaa of woodland for very little that could be used for all manner of things.
A centre, for the use of all units would be best. You could rent it out to other units and groups and make the cost back.
I’d have both though 
A privately owned RAC? Hmmm… now there’s an idea…
[quote=“pEp” post=9586]I’d want a range, and armoury, a largeish sports field with some woodlands attached. A radioroom, a drill hall large eenough to do drill in, a few classrooms, a room for canteen, toilets, a shower block, changing rooms, an office, a large store, external storage (lots of).
What more could you want?[/quote]
Add in a DCCT, indoor climbing wall, Large water area for watersports
Very large field with room for a glider runway (and a winch to go with it).
Seperate dormitories with appropriate fire alarm systems etc.
High ropes course (and fund instructor courses)
[quote=“ex-bawtryboy” post=9699][quote=“pEp” post=9586]I’d want a range, and armoury, a largeish sports field with some woodlands attached. A radioroom, a drill hall large eenough to do drill in, a few classrooms, a room for canteen, toilets, a shower block, changing rooms, an office, a large store, external storage (lots of).
What more could you want?[/quote]
Add in a DCCT, indoor climbing wall, Large water area for watersports
Very large field with room for a glider runway (and a winch to go with it).
Seperate dormitories with appropriate fire alarm systems etc.
High ropes course (and fund instructor courses)[/quote]
You might need to wait for a 8/9+ times rollover Euromillions for that little lot.
I know it’s all fantasy stuff, but you’re better off keeping it simple and plying the squadron with funds to do things. As the more you have unless someone’s picking up the tab, the upkeep would just eat money, especially as it would be classed as a public building.
I was told that one of the new style huts costs around £300K, I wasn’t told if that was all in or just the “shed”. I don’t know what the extension to our Spooner cost but if it was anymore than £30-£40K someone was creaming off the top. I’m sure it would be cheaper for RFCA to buy and refurb existing buildings.
All of the above! Plus a foresty bit for Fieldcraft, our own personal gate guardian and a replica of the ‘Hangar’ at Cranwell!! :lol:
Pah, indoor command tasks?
Put the command tasks in the foresty bit too!