Demons CEO Gary Pert says Dees’ Caulfield feasibility study remains “far from a design phase”

The plans for Melbourne to call Caulfield racecourse its new home remain in motion, yet the next phase appears no closer according to a letter released to members by the club.

Melbourne has released an image of its plans to set up camp inside Caulfield racecourse – but chief executive Gary Pert says the feasibility study commissioned last year remains “far from a design phase”.

The Demons announced last December that they had secured funding to commence a feasibility study as it pushes to establish a new permanent home base.

It’s understood the Demons are hopeful they will enter the design phase of the study in the next few months.

The study is currently in the “stakeholder engagement phase”, as the Demons meet with Glen Eira city council, local sporting clubs and schools.

Glen Eira city council – which covers Caulfield – was initially left in the dark over the Dees’ plans and had warned the club that their mooted new home base could not come at the expense of community access to the area.

Melbourne’s feasibility study.

But Pert declared on Monday the Demons’ plans included a strong community focus.

“Our goal is to not only provide a home base for the Melbourne Football Club, but to also contribute positively to sport and recreation opportunities for the wider community,” Pert said.

“We are currently commencing our initial community stakeholder meetings and will look to update you all on our progress when we can.

“The below image from the Caulfield racecourse reserve strategic management plan outlines the key areas of the reserve which form part of the feasibility study.

“As previously communicated the club is leading the feasibility study with support from specialist consultants and in consultation with the Victorian Government and other relevant stakeholders including Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust and the Melbourne Racing Club.

“We are incredibly excited to be taking a step towards realising the club’s dream of a permanent homebase for the club and are excited by the prospect of doing so in Melbourne Football Club heartland, at a location with close ties to the local community.”

This masthead revealed midway through 2023 that the Demons were pressing ahead with plans to build a new training and administration base in Caulfield in a bid to finally bring the club under one roof.

As part of the club’s 2020-2023 strategic plan they had set a deadline for construction to begin by the end of 2023.

The Dees split their training days between Casey Field and Gosch’s Paddock. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

In that document the club said it would find a location “within walking distance” of its MCG home ground, but the club has since set its sights on areas further out to find a suitable area.

While that timeline has elapsed, it was also impacted by Covid.

The Demons have been footballing nomads for years. They split their training days between Casey Field and Gosch’s Paddock while their administration based at the MCG.

“While we are far from a design phase, we wanted to share the image with you to hopefully help you visualise the proposed location of any potential training and administration facility,” Pert said.

“The map outlines the potential location for the club’s training and administrative headquarters on a disused horse training site, as well as the proposed location of multiple sporting fields, which includes two training ovals.

“While these ovals would be utilised by both our AFL and AFLW football programs, the wider community will also have access to the ovals.

“It is important to note that the club would utilise the site for training and administrative purposes only, with no matches to be held at the Reserve which will keep built form to a minimum inside the track.”