ST KILDA has taken another step towards re-engaging Moorabbin, appointing strategic sports marketing consultants the Gemba Group to develop a feasibility study for their former home ground.
The Saints have secured the support of the City of Kingston for what they describe as a "broad vision for a community sporting hub at Moorabbin Reserve".
As part of this, the Saints have turned to Gemba - the company formerly part-owned by Essendon coach James Hird - to develop a presentation to the Baillieu Government on the "community infrastructure needs."
If given the go-ahead, this multi-million development could mean the Saints would split their training sessions between their new Linen House facility at Seaford and their old ground.
Saints president Greg Westaway said the club was working to redevelop Moorabbin.
"We think we can we do things with that to help junior football and other parts of the competition and do something for the Moorabbin community as well," Westaway said.
"Everyone can win out of that, if we do it right. We think we have a pretty good plan."
Asked if the Saints were keen to return to training on a regular basis at Moorabbin, Westaway said: "I think we will train there intermittently but far be it for me to say when because the football department coaches will make a call on that. It can be disruptive unless it is well planned."
The Saints train occasionally at Moorabbin.
St Kilda's lease at its old home does not expire for another 28 years. The Southern Football League and AFL Victoria also have offices there.
The TAC's Sandringham Dragons and the South Metro Junior Football League would also be based at Moorabbin under the proposal.
The Saints began to look elsewhere in 2007 after falling out with the City of Kingston over a proposed redevelopment. The City of Frankston tipped in almost $4 million to the Seaford development, but the Saints, with their expanding football department, have already started to outgrow it.
