|
|
Chief executive Eugene Arocca said North had already prepared a submission for federal government funding to resurface the oval and increase its dimensions, which would in turn foster its use by clubs at all levels.
However, the view is to also install coach's boxes, nets and other infrastructure, so that the rest of the venue can mirror the club's $16 million administration and training base, and offer year-round testing.
Such an investment could pull Arden Street's resources closer to those available at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where the country's 75 best young footballers have converged for four days' assessment and interviews with AFL clubs since 1999.
"Our long-term objective is to have a draft camp here," Arocca told afl.com.au.
"I would love to think that if we got this oval up and done within the next two years, why wouldn't we go to the AFL? It's logical.
"The AFL would probably say, 'Well, we've always done our draft camps up in Canberra because it's central' but I would think that if we could get this oval up to a standard that was with the best of them, [we would have a case].
"Unlike many other clubs that have got great ovals but they're two kilometres away from their building, we've actually got the biggest gym in a brand new facility, with a community changeroom literally 20 feet from the oval.
"Other than maybe Essendon (at Windy Hill), we are the oval that is closest to the airport."
Through an external consultant, North is already spending around $250,000 per year on maintenance to ensure the oval meets minimum standards - roughly four times what was allocated when Arocca was appointed in early 2008.
The cricket pitch has been removed, but other soil and drainage issues remain, much like the issue of the boundary line being too close to the perimeter fencing.
Arocca said that with improvements to the oval, the looming demolition of the old clubrooms and gymnasium to create a green space and expansion opportunities at one end of the new building, Arden Street would be on par with Princes Park as one of the best inner-city facilities in Australia.
"We want to have a high-performance element to everything we do," he said.
But Arocca also flagged the potential for the draft camp to be held in a different location every year, with the annual community camps undertaken by AFL clubs providing a blueprint.
Of the 68 new players recruited through the 2009 NAB AFL Draft - the bulk of who attended draft camp at the end of September - 36 were from Victoria, 14 were from Western Australia and nine were from South Australia.
"Maybe the draft camp should travel," Arocca said. "It should go to Western Australia one year, it should go to South Australia, it should be in Melbourne.
"The outstanding success of the community camps is evident by the fact that clubs go out on the road and visit various places around the country.
"I think the draft camp can be turned into something very special, and where you hold it can also be a part of that special element."
Meanwhile, Arocca has set himself a six to 12-month timeframe to sign a naming rights sponsor for the Arden Street facility.
Despite the after effects of the global financial crisis, North has had a number of suitors but will hold out in the hope of securing at least a five-year deal.
