NH National Guard Breaks Ground on $31M Plymouth Readiness Center

The New Hampshire Army National Guard broke ground on Nov. 12 for the new Plymouth Readiness Center, marking the start of a $31 million effort to modernize the region’s military infrastructure.

This project replaces a 14,536-square-foot armory that has stood at 19 Armory Road since 1957. According to a report from DVIDS, the new facility will more than double that footprint, offering 38,288 square feet of space designed to meet contemporary security and operational demands.

The investment aims to resolve long-standing training shortfalls and upgrade a site that has served the community for nearly 70 years. While the old structure hosted field artillery and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, the new center will become the permanent home for the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 941st Military Police Battalion.

“This state-of-the-art armory will resolve training shortfalls, boost soldier readiness, and integrate the Plymouth community by providing a veteran community hub,” Maj. Gen. David J. Mikolaities, the adjutant general of the New Hampshire National Guard, told DVIDS.

The scale of the upgrade shows how Guard operations have changed since the original armory was constructed in the mid-century. The existing infrastructure no longer supports the specific training and security requirements of modern service members.

Of the total $31 million cost, $29 million is specifically designated for the construction phase. The project received official approval from the Governor and Council this past September.

Governor Kelly Ayotte attended the ceremony alongside Guard leadership and local officials to show the state's commitment to its service members.

“Our National Guard members are always ready to answer the call to serve our state and our nation, and they deserve facilities that reflect their dedication and service,” Ayotte said.

The construction contract was awarded to Turnstone Construction, a firm based in Milford, New Hampshire. The company secured the project following a public bid opening on June 24 that drew seven different responses.

The transition from the old site to the new center will happen in stages over the next two years. Demolition of the 1957 structure is expected to begin within two weeks of the ceremony.

The project’s physical transformation is slated to continue through 2028. The architecture for the new site is being handled by Smith Alvarez Sienkiewycz (SAS), a firm located in Burlington, Vermont.

Project Detail	Specification
Total Project Cost	$31 million
Construction Allocation	$29 million
Existing Armory Size	14,536 square feet
New Center Size	38,288 square feet
Estimated Completion	2028

“We expect to begin demolition within the next two weeks and plan to complete the project in 2028,” Stacy Clark, president of Turnstone Construction, told DVIDS.

Once the facility is fully operational, it is intended to serve not just as a tactical base, but as a hub for the local veteran community. The state’s goal is to ensure that the resources provided allow the Guard to maintain its readiness for future generations of New Hampshire Soldiers.

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