ST KILDA'S search for a new home has been widened to include Monash University and a cricket ground in Glen Waverley.

The club has held preliminary discussions with university administrators about building an elite training centre, originally planned for Moorabbin, at the Clayton campus of the university.

"We have had some discussions with Monash University and Monash council … we might follow them up in a couple of weeks' time and they might come back to us," Saints chief executive Archie Fraser said. He said the talks had been "initial discussions to see whether it could work".

The campus joins other options for the club, including staying at Moorabbin, returning to the Junction Oval or relocating to Casey Fields in Cranbourne. Fraser said the club hoped to decide on its favoured option within six to eight weeks.

St Kilda has also had early talks with the City of Monash about relocating to Central Reserve in Glen Waverley — a ground that has hosted international women's cricket but which is currently unused.

The Saints' previously stated aim of being in new facilities by early 2009 has been relaxed. "It is still possible but given it's a 40-year decision, we want to get the right one," Fraser said. "If it takes a little bit longer that is OK."

A move to the university is something of a long shot. One potential problem is the Victorian Government funding required to help build a new training and administration base.

The Government had earmarked $3.45 million towards the redevelopment of Moorabbin but that project stalled earlier this year after a dispute between the club and Kingston city council over whether poker machines could be relocated to a new social club on South Road.

To build a new home away from Moorabbin, the club must convince the Government to transfer the funding to a new location. The funding also comes with a "community benefit" test. Building at Monash University would require the university to also commit dollars to the project and the club believes that university bosses would most likely want the facility to be used by students only.

Another option is the Glen Waverley site. Central Reserve had been targeted by Cricket Victoria as a permanent base for women's cricket but talks with the council have stalled in recent weeks.

Councillor Geoff Lake said the council was keen for a tenant and was prepared to provide funding — perhaps as much as $1 million towards a redevelopment of the facility.

All of the alternatives involve leaving the poker machines at their current location at Moorabbin and relocating the club administration and football services only.

Another possible venue is Cranbourne's Casey Fields, where the council is enthusiastic about hosting the Saints and has made land available for a top-class facility. Club representatives met with the City of Casey last week and were briefed about the site and the council's plans.

The Saints have also met Port Phillip Council and Parks Victoria to discuss the possibilities for redeveloping the Junction Oval or a nearby site in Albert Park. That plan faces possible heritage overlay problems as well as clashes with cricket and the formula one grand prix.