ST KILDA'S dream of a return to an elite training facility at its spiritual home in Moorabbin will become reality after the Victorian Government committed to $12 million in funding for the project. 

The extra funding boost comes in addition to earlier contributions from AFL and AFL Victoria ($6 million), Kingston City Council ($5 million) and local football and netball leagues (a combined $400,000). 



Together with a $5 million contribution from St Kilda, the Victorian Government's funding means the $30 million project will now proceed. 

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said he was confident the club could come up with the funds to ensure the new facilities become a reality in the next 18 months.

"We believe [the redevelopment] will secure our future for years to come," he said on Sunday. 

"This is something that is many years in the making. All St Kilda fans will be thrilled to know that a place which holds such a special place in their hearts and minds is now going to be regenerated. It will be given the respect it deserves to become a thriving place again." 

St Kilda moved its training base from Moorabbin to Seaford in 2010.

The Saints will return to their spiritual home at Linton Street, Moorabbin. Picture: AFL Media

Veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna said he was excited to return to the Saints' heartland, admitting the move to Seaford had been an issue for the players.

"I just think [Seaford] was a challenge from where the guys grew up and lived," Montagna said.

"A lot of guys lived around the Moorabbin area and it was just more the travel, getting down to Seaford [that was challenging]. It was what we needed at the time and we were grateful to Frankston for giving us that opportunity, but pretty quickly I think we outgrew the facility."

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Despite having invested millons of dollars into their Seaford training base, Finnis denied the soon-to-be defunct facility would be a financial burden on the club.

"It will become a facility which can better support the community in that part of the world," Finnis said.

"St Kilda Football Club is playing a leading role in that through our partnerships with local football leagues down there and in the city of Frankston, who will be able to provide more community access, just by virtue of the fact that we won't be using it day in, day out."

The new facility at Moorabbin will include an elite training and administration base, as well as dedicated facilities for other local sporting clubs.

There will also be additional room to accommodate a proposed standalone St Kilda VFL team, as well as the potential players from a women's football academy.

Victorian Sports Minister John Eren announced the $12 million funding at Moorabbin Oval on Sunday morning.

"There is no question that this decision is the absolutely right decision. It's elite and grassroots combined together so you can't get a better project than this and as a state government we are proud to be investing in it," he said. 

The 2016 season marks the 50th anniversary of St Kilda's move from the Junction Oval to Moorabbin. 

For forward Paddy McCartin, training at Moorabbin will become the norm. Picture: AFL Media