Storage and Maintenance Hangar, Army Inshore Sail Training Centre
- Ryman
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
Client: British Army Sailing Association
Date: Spring 2025
Project: To construct a single, purpose-built, hangar to improve the quality of storage, maintenance and accessibility to sail training equipment and increase the capacity and efficiency of the Army Inshore Sail Training Centre. There were five objectives:
To demolish and dispose of the old workshop and provide new workshop facilities to improve the standards of maintenance of the sail training fleets.
To replace the dysfunctional wind/kite-surfing store and provide improved storage for high-value safety and sail training equipment.
To prevent the deterioration of lifejackets, wetsuits and other waterproof clothing with the provision of improved environmental storage to reduce replacement costs.
To provide an improved training environment for instructors and bosuns.
To increase in the number of soldiers attending AISTC courses and activities by 10%.
Project overview:
By Miles Wade CBE, Army Sailing Association Development Project Officer
"Following a recommendation, the Army Sailing Association (ASA) approached Dan Parker of Ryman Steel Buildings to assess the requirements at the ASA Inshore Sail Training Centre. Dan visited to understand our goals thoroughly, questioning our intentions and objectives to ensure that Ryman could provide us with a design and build solution for a large hanger that would replace our existing stores, workshop, and offer much-needed space for training.
Dan and his team, based in Gloucestershire, quickly submitted a proposal based on our outline planning drawings, after taking measurements of the site. We worked closely together to finalize the outline specification, which involved a bit of back-and-forth to ensure sensible adjustments were made. After reaching an agreement, Ryman submitted a final proposal complete with clear program details, costs, and terms and conditions, all of which we agreed upon, allowing the project to move forward on schedule.
Our biggest concern was ensuring the smooth integration of the groundworks, hanger construction, and internal fit-out to provide enough space and logistical flow. These challenges were addressed through regular site meetings, with the groundworks’ foreman working closely alongside our site manager to ensure everything ran smoothly.
Once the groundworks were completed, including the incorporation of an old slab, the steel delivery to site was handled swiftly, and construction began without delay. The building was constructed according to the agreed schedule, and while a few technical issues arose, the project team handled them quickly and effectively.
Throughout the project, we conducted regular site inspections with Ryman in attendance and maintained consistent communication with their highly efficient office team, especially when it came to stage payments and variations. The project was well-managed with strong financial controls, ensuring a smooth audit trail.
Despite being completed during a challenging winter period, the construction progressed efficiently, with a leak caused by the exposed site conditions being promptly resolved. The project was finished in January 2025 and, since then, the team has returned regularly to address any snags and defects.
The Army Sailing Association is entirely satisfied with the completed project. It fully meets our business needs and will provide a robust and efficient logistics centre for our sail training operations for years to come.
As the project officer, I was especially impressed by the professionalism and attitude of Dan and Steff Parker and their team. They always maintained a positive, solution-focused approach, and nothing ever fazed them. I would not hesitate to recommend their excellent work to other sailing organizations with waterside facilities."
The Army Sailing Association is entirely satisfied with the completed project. It fully meets our business needs and will provide a robust and efficient logistics centre for our sail training operations for years to come. As the project officer, I was especially impressed by the professionalism and attitude of Dan and Steff Parker and their team. They always maintained a positive, solution-focused approach, and nothing ever fazed them. I would not hesitate to recommend their excellent work to other sailing organizations with waterside facilities."
Miles Wade CBE, Army Sailing Association Development Project Officer
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