Hawthorn benefactor Geoff Harris is urging the club to stick with its Kennedy Community Centre project as escalating costs and construction delays continue to spook the board.
SEN last month revealed Hawks directors had been divided by a series of setbacks to the $103 million-plus training and administration base, to be built on a former Dingley landfill site.
Harris, the co-founder of Flight Centre and a former Hawthorn director, has sent a series of emails in recent weeks encouraging the club to stay the course. Harris has also held talks with acting Hawks chief executive Ash Klein.
Insiders said former president Jeff Kennett had sent his own strongly-worded email to the current board expressing similar views, with Dingley supporters arguing the club would become a laughing stock if it abandoned the project.
The Hawthorn board gathered on Wednesday to discuss the next course of action, with the new base now set to cost millions more and be delayed for up to 12 months.
The Dingley site was used for “solid inert wastes" from 1983 to 2012 and has been regularly tested for methane gas levels over the years.
Sources said the methane extraction had been complicated and sat among an array of issues that had hit a club experiencing leadership turnover, highlighted by the departure of CEO Justin Reeves.
Project lead Kerrie Brewer’s defection to Collingwood could further halt progress. Multiple sources have said Brewer’s defection was prompted after a clash with board member Katie Hudson.
In a statement, Hawthorn president Andy Gowers said the Hawks remained “fully committed” to the Kennedy Community Centre.
“A construction team has been completing an important early works package before major construction can begin,” the statement read.
“As is the case with all major construction projects, the timeline may change as work continues.”
Plans for the Kennedy Community Centre include two ovals, including one with a pavilion and full gameday amenities for AFLW home matches and community football.
A large-scale indoor training facility and aquatic and fitness centres are also planned.