ADO Den Haag has reached another important milestone with the driving of the first pile for the new training complex for the first men’s team in Zuiderpark. This marks the next step in fulfilling a long-held ambition, following the club’s return to the park in October last year. The symbolic start was carried out by general director Natascha van Grinsven-Admiraal, together with sports alderman Hilbert Bredemeijer, club icon Lex Schoenmaker and builder Giel Biersteker.
ADO Den Haag is a professional football club based in The Hague. After nearly three years of development, in close cooperation with all partners, the long-awaited goal of a future-proof training complex is now becoming a reality. ADO Den Haag is expected to move into the new facilities by the end of summer.
The complex, designed by architect Leila van Coeverden-Altena, combines a strong structural base with innovative design. It features a sustainable timber construction, a flexible and demountable setup, and high-quality façade materials, making the building largely rebuildable. This places it among the most sustainable training facilities in the Netherlands and creates a new landmark in Zuiderpark.
From August, players will be able to prepare for the new season, with ambitions focused on the Eredivisie. The complex includes a modern players’ area with a balcony and a training space with large glass façades overlooking the pitch, set within a warm interior of wooden beams and columns.
Sustainability plays a central role in the design. The building is largely self-sufficient: hot water is generated by solar collectors and electricity by solar panels. Rainwater is reused for toilets and washing machines, reducing drinking water use by around 60 percent.
General director Natascha van Grinsven-Admiraal said: “This is another special moment for our club. By driving the first pile, we are taking a major step towards realising a long-held ambition: our own, future-proof training complex for the first men’s team. This project is the result of nearly three years of intensive collaboration with all our partners, financiers and the municipality of The Hague, and shows where we want to go as a club. In Zuiderpark, on historic ground, we are building a sustainable and professional environment in which our players can develop and prepare for the Eredivisie.”
Giel Biersteker added: “As a proud ADO Den Haag supporter and the builder of this new training facility, this project is especially meaningful to me. On historic ground in Zuiderpark, the first team will finally have a complex that matches the club’s ambitions. With this modern and sustainable facility, we have done everything possible, together with our construction partners, to create a future-proof environment for players and staff. This building gives ADO Den Haag an important boost in its continued development.”
