The redevelopment of Port Adelaide's high-performance training centre has undergone the first phase of construction. Image: Sarah Constructions.

PORT ADELAIDE'S AFL and AFLW players will soon have a new state-of-the-art home for training and recovery, with the redevelopment of the club’s high-performance training centre undergoing the first phase of construction.

With the completion of the club’s new social facilities, The Precinct at Alberton - including a bar and kitchen, function space, Port Store and museum - the focus then moved to the Fos Williams Family Grandstand in July.

The heritage grandstand redevelopment was completed in time for the club’s first AFLW home game, and now boasts industry leading AFLW changerooms, AFLW match day facilities, media boxes and interchange benches.

The broader plan for the Alberton Oval precinct is to create a unique multi-faceted sports and community space, while also elevating the club’s high-performance facilities to a  world class standard that brings together the AFL and AFLW programs. With much of the demolition and clearing almost complete, work now begins on the upgrade and expansion of Port Adelaide’s high-performance training facility.

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Alberton Oval high-performance centre re-development fly through | PTV

See the vision from the first phase of construction of the redevelopment of Port Adelaide's high-performance training centre.

Port Adelaide Football Club CEO, Matthew Richardson, said the club’s expansion into the AFLW has been an important driver of this redevelopment.

“The new high-performance centre will include significantly upgraded men’s changerooms, plus gymnasium and rehab facilities to cater for our AFL and AFLW teams, providing our athletes, coaches and high-performance staff with the best possible facilities to support learning, development and ultimately performance,” Mr Richardson said.

“The development includes an expanded indoor training space incorporating kicking and skill development.

“Throughout the planning process, we worked closely with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council to support the local sporting infrastructure needs and Basketball courts were the priority identified, with the West Adelaide Bearcats Basketball Club utilising the courts after hours for their ninety something junior teams.

“Optimising the use of this elite facility to support local junior sport and recreation is an important outcome from this development. There is no point making the investment we are to see these world-class facilities sit idle most evenings.”

Render: The upgraded high-performance facility at Alberton includes two basketball courts and a soccer pitch to be shared with community clubs and organisations.

The expansion will also see the introduction of an additional training field which will support the club’s expanding training requirements and upgraded oval lighting.

The training field will be maintained at elite AFL standard and also be used by the North West Junior Soccer Association on Saturday mornings during the winter for their schools competition, and outside of that, it becomes much improved recreational greenspace for the local community to use for passive and active recreation.

Mr Richardson said that the core of the entire Alberton Oval redevelopment has been a focus on the club’s members, fans and local Port Adelaide community.

“Alberton Oval has been the home of the Port Adelaide Football Club since 1880. As our club has grown to suit the needs of the community and expanded to become the only genuine community football club to have earned elevation into the AFL competition from outside of Victoria, our roots and where we come from remains a critical part of who we are.

“We’ve seen significant expansion of other AFL club facilities, with many of them including sites which have no heritage connection to the clubs. That’s not Port Adelaide. Who we are and where we come from is important to us, and it always will be.

“For our people to be able to come to Alberton Oval to engage with the players and people within the club, have a meal, spend time in the museum learning the stories of Port Adelaide and watch games, just like they’ve done for over 140 years, is important.

“This re-development transforms our home into an elite sporting precinct, but one with unique soul that our members and community can enjoy and be part of.”

This week, a large portion of the demolition was completed on the existing facility and surrounding area. The foundations for the new building are set to be completed by Christmas with the full project completion by August 2023.