Crows eye November training at Thebarton as latest pictures reveal true size of new headquarters

Adelaide chairman John Olsen says people are ‘gobsmacked’ at the size and progress of the Crows’ new Thebarton home, as the club eyes a training date next year. See the latest pictures.

Adelaide is hoping to train at its new headquarters by November next year as the $105m project remains ahead of schedule.

Fresh photos supplied to this masthead show the latest progress at the Crows’ base at Thebarton, 10 months into construction.

Light tower foundations have been poured, the final stages of roof and structural steel are underway, glazing has begun, work on oval retaining walls is happening and they are starting the internal fit-out of the training and administration centres.

The progress of Adelaide’s new Thebarton Oval home this week. Picture: Adelaide FC

The project remains ahead of schedule. Picture: Adelaide FC

Adelaide chairman John Olsen said the redevelopment was still ahead of schedule by several months, but hosting an AFLW game next year remained unlikely.

“The project is gathering apace,” Olsen told this masthead.

“A number of people have said to me when they drive down South Rd and they’re gobsmacked at the size of this facility and the amount of work that’s been done on it.

“Being ahead of schedule means some cost savings can be built in to offset increases in costs in other areas.

“Bearing in mind delays can come out of left field in any construction, but we’re hopeful men’s training can take place there next year at the end of November.

“It’s more likely we’ll be playing games there in early 2027 than the end of ‘26, but we want to get in for training purposes.”

The Crows wanted the playing surface to be sown from February next year.

“It’s tracking really well and we’ve got an eagle eye on that,”

“We’re monitoring very closely every aspect of the development.”

An early picture of the redevelopment.

An artist’s impression of the clubrooms and high-performance centre facing west from the South Rd side of the oval.

And where the build is at in December. Picture: Adelaide FC

Adelaide’s men’s, women’s and SANFL teams will train at Thebarton, which will be the club’s home ground for AFLW matches.

The redevelopment includes construction of a function centre, cafe, members’ lounge and interactive museum showcasing the club’s history.

Adelaide planned for the project to be $85m but costs blew out during 18-month delays during the consultation process.

The Crows tried to base themselves at Adelaide Aquatic Centre and Brompton before settling on Thebarton in August 2022.

Originally published as Crows eye November training at Thebarton as latest pictures reveal true size of new headquarters