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From the HeraldSun Website...
[url]http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23243451-2862,00.html[/url]
THE Kangaroos have held talks about moving from Arden St amid concerns over contaminated soil at their beloved home ground.
The Herald Sun can reveal an estimated $1 million clean-up bill has led to the Roos talking to several councils about a possible relocation of club headquarters.
The contaminated soil, which was discovered during tests in October, is believed to have been caused by the nearby gasometers.
It has thrown a cloud over the Roos' redevelopment plans for Arden St, which have been a year and a half in the making.
Wyndham City Council chief executive Ian Robins confirmed to the Herald Sun the Roos had spoken with him about a possible move to one of Victoria's fastest-growing municipalities.
The soil problem and building changes to accommodate a third floor extension have caused the cost of the North Melbourne redevelopment to balloon by up to $1.5 million.
The desperately needed upgrade is now expected to cost about $12 million, up from $10.5 million a few months ago and $7 million early last year.
And the City of Melbourne, which is reluctant to increase its $2 million commitment, will only discuss an increase if funding partners the AFL, state and federal governments and the club do so first.
Sources told the Herald Sun the council would likely agree to pay another $300,000 if it was the last to put in, otherwise it wouldn't approve the plans.
Kangaroos president James Brayshaw said the club was prepared to turn to plan B.
"If Arden St falls over, I don't think it will but if it does, we'd be stupid if we weren't open to finding a replacement because we've got to get a facility for the players better than what we've got at the moment," he said.
The Kangaroos last year rejected a $100 million AFL offer to move to the Gold Coast.
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Peter... re-locating to Echuca :)
