HMS Excellent is home of the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth and the new buildings opened by the Princess include two accommodation wings providing another 134 rooms and public rooms which comprise a large reception/ballroom, bar facilities, a conference room and internet suite.
The new buildings have been named in memory of three Navy heroes, Chief Gunner Israel Harding VC, Sergeant Norman Finch VC, and Captain Scott's South Pole Expedition team member, Petty Officer Edgar Evans.
Descendants of Chief Gunner Harding and Petty Officer Evans attended the opening ceremony along with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mary Fagan.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Andy Deacon, Mess President of the Senior Rates Mess, presided at the reception which was also attended by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Alan Massey.
Commander Simon Howell, Commanding Officer of HMS Excellent, said:
"This new-build project was delivered to time and to cost and these modern, high quality buildings will significantly enhance the lives of those who live at their place of work, providing well furnished, en-suite rooms and conferencing facilities.
HRH the Princess Royal and Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Alan Massey, are greeted by Warrant Officer Class 1 Andy Deacon (right), Mess President of the Senior Rates Mess at HMS Excellent
[Picture: LA(Phot) Luron Wright]
"This is another step in an ongoing programme of upgrading and rebuilding living accommodation across the entire defence estate. It is vitally important that we offer incentives and an appropriate level of facilities to aspire to as our people progress their careers in the Navy."
John Evans, Petty Officer Edgar Evans' grandson, said as he toured the building named after his grandfather:
"He would have been very proud to know his name is honoured in this way and it is very moving to see the Antarctic ski memorial and photos placed here in the new building; he was a very fit man and sadly the first to perish on that expedition."
The new buildings were completed under the Prime Contract Enabling Agreement (PCEA) set up between Royal Naval Estates and VT Flagship and the construction has been project-managed by VT Flagship as prime contractor, with building works carried out by Mansell Construction Services Ltd, and managed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by the Royal Naval Estate Organisation (RNEO). Gifford and Partners led the design team with Archial Architects.
Ian Cullis, VT Flagship Principal Project Manager, stated:
"This building is the culmination of over two years' work for RNEO, VT Flagship and the team. We were set the objective of designing a building to inspire Junior Ratings to progress to the Senior Rates Mess. We believe and trust that this new building will fulfil that objective."
Andy Duff, Regional Director Mansell South, added:
"The new accommodation and public rooms totally complement the surrounding buildings in their location in HMS Excellent. The project is another model example of high quality, bespoke design and construction delivered in a fully collaborative manner to a fast-track programme by the RNEO/Flagship Prime Team."
David Delicate, RNEO Project Sponsor, concluded:
"This project is the ninth Single Living Accommodation (SLA) project delivered under the PCEA arrangement which has provided the Navy with over 1,000 new bed spaces. Both projects are a major success and have been delivered within budget to the highest quality. The modern accommodation will improve both the morale component and retention statistics of the Navy."
The new buildings on Whale Island replace the Warrant Officer and Senior Rates Mess at HMS Excellent which was first opened in 1964 and named the Edgar Evans building.
At the time it was the first building to be named after a Petty Officer rather than a famous Admiral.