Hawthorn's new training base to cost $130 million

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has revealed the club is chasing $130 million to fund its ambitious shift from Waverley Park to a new training facility in Dingley.

The Age last year reported that Hawthorn sources had estimated what has been badged the Kennedy Community Centre would cost between $80 million and $100 million, but Kennett has confirmed that figure is far greater.

Speaking at the Hawks' official season launch, Kennett said a review of the board of directors – he has already made it clear he wants new, younger candidates – would have the club well placed to deliver the training facility.

An artist's impression of Hawthorn's new training base in Dingley. 

"The board is going through a renewal and I hope by the end of my term which, at the most, will be two years is that we will have a board in place that will serve this club up for six to nine years," he said.

"The point of that is, to put the structures in place now to allow there to be stability and certainty within the organisation, bringing together people with different skills to be actually able to meet the challenges we face within the club both on a personal basis, that is socially, the welfare of our employees and, ultimately, the delivery of the Kennedy Community Centre which is the biggest project undertaken by any football club in the league's history.

"It is a massive challenge for us and we would still be, when it is delivered, the only club in the AFL that owns its own property."

Geoff Harris, the former Hawthorn vice-president and Flight Centre co-founder, has tipped in $10 million of "seeding money", to be distributed over five years. The Hawks had paid $7.75 million for the 28-hectare site, about 23 kilometres from the city, which they say will be their home for up to the next 100 years.

Kennett then added: "Now it is up to the rest of us to secure that, not inconsiderable sum of money, about $130 million to be able to complete the project."

The training facility, which will have community use, has been named after club legend John Kennedy snr.

Kennett has revealed that John Kennedy jnr will be the club's new No.1 male ticketholder this year, replacing club legend Peter Hudson, who has stepped down after 11 years. Kennedy jnr won four flags during the club's dominant 1980s run, is a former assistant coach and board member and has been chairman of the past players association. He is also the father of Josh Kennedy, the Swans captain who began his career with the Hawks.

"When you have a look at the way John Kennedy snr and Clarko [coach Alastair Clarkson] embrace after premierships etc, to have a Kennedy there in a leadership position, particularly as we build and deliver the Kennedy Community Centre, I think is a great place for the club to be," Kennett said.

Construction of the new facility is due to begin next year and be finished by 2022.

As part of the board's renewal process, Kennett – who made a stunning return to the top role last year and replaced Richard Garvey – has said he is prepared to step down this year provided there was a suitable replacement on the board. If not, he will relinquish the role next year.

In a bid to strengthen the Hawks' reputation as the "family club", Kennett said he had instructed chief executive Justin Reeves to review all club events, for there had been complaints from members that these had predominantly been open to only sponsors and those prepared to pay a premium.

Kennett said he had never been as confident of success on the field as he was heading into this campaign but he did not specify what this meant.

"I have never been as confident, I don't want to predict anything, but I have never been as confident as I am right now," he said, with a smile.