The Crows won’t be able to train on Max Basheer Reserve beyond this season, with property development works to commence later this year.
Max Basheer Reserve has formed part of Adelaide’s training base at West Lakes since the Club’s inception. The land, which was previously owned by the SANFL, was sold to a developer following the move of football to Adelaide Oval.
Currently, the Crows split their training sessions between Max Basheer Reserve, AAMI Stadium and Adelaide Oval, to which the Club shares with co-tenants Port Adelaide, the SANFL and SACA.
CEO Andrew Fagan said the Crows would receive greater access to AAMI Stadium as a result of the development of Max Basheer Reserve.
“The 2015 season will be the last time that we train on Max Basheer Reserve,” Fagan told The Crows Show.
“That land is owned by the SANFL and has been sold to a developer. Those works will commence later on in the year. It’ll be a bit of a sad day for our footy club. The Reserve has long been associated with the Club and South Australian footy. It’s a day that we knew was coming, it’s just that it’s not too far away now.
“As a result, we’ll have greater access to Footy Park than what we’ve had before given that we’ll be going from two training surfaces (Max Basheer Reserve and AAMI Stadium) to one.”
The Crows have invested heavily in its training facilities since Fagan’s arrival.
This has included the installation of Astroturf on ‘The Shed’ floor and reconfiguration of the football department space. Fagan said the work had the Club in “good shape” for years to come.
“The lease at West Lakes still continues through until 2048. We’ve invested more into our training facilities. They are truly elite and league-leading. We wanted to ensure that was the case and why we’ve put in the work that we have over the past few months.”