Casey CEO Mike Tyler and mayor Janet Halsall are feeling the strain after cracks appeared in the deal between the city and Melbourne Football Club.By Callan Date
MELBOURNE Football Club’s much publicised move to Casey Fields is in doubt.
Concerns about the Demons being able to deliver a 30 year community partnership throughout the municipality are holding up the deal.
Casey CEO Mike Tyler sent an email, seen by the News, to Casey councillors outlining his apprehension over the deal going through.
“Discussions with MFC have been drawn out over many months. They are in a state of flux at the moment,” the email read.
“MFC is now concerned about the deliverability into future years of the community partnership it previously proposed to council.”
The original project was expected to cost Casey about $2.24 million.
The money was set to go towards a major extension of the pavilion at Casey Fields, which the Demons football department planned on working from until early 2010.
Mr Tyler told the News there was a chance their deal would fall through.
“Until the agreement is finalised there is always a possibility that there may not be a final agreement,” he said.
“Council understands that MFC intends to commence pre-season training at Casey Fields from the start of November.”
Mr Tyler said the sticking point was “concern about the long term delivery of the community program which it (MFC) previously proposed”.
Other community benefits included Demons players visiting schools and football clubs .
MFC did not respond to inquiries before the News went to press.
