NRL NT boss John Mitchell has quit his post for personal reasons and will not be part of the process to find a desperately-needed new home for Territory rugby league.

Mitchell, who has been in the role for five years and is likely to continue until after Christmas, did not return the NT News’ calls last night.

But NRL NT competitions co-ordinator Nigel Roy said Mitchell’s resignation was unrelated to the Government’s announcement on Tuesday it was not going ahead with plans to give Richardson Park a facelift.

“He was disappointed the Government shelved the plans for Richardson Park but that had nothing at all to do with his decision — it’s coincidental,” Roy said.

“John, from my discussions with him, had his plans in place for a long time and was quite excited about the prospect of rebuilding Richardson Park.”

Mitchell is relocating to Adelaide, where his partner lives.

Roy did not rule out stepping into Mitchell’s vacated role but said the NRL would go through a process to find a suitable candidate.

“John’s been the most fantastic colleague to work with and on a personal level we wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” Roy said.

“He’s been involved in NT rugby league at a very difficult time, with the financial issues the league had and to weather that storm (was a credit to him).

“His legacy will be to oversee the successful transition from the NTRL to the NRL NT and seeing the sport in its healthiest shape for many years.”

Mitchell earlier told the NT News that Chief Minister Adam Giles had promised NRL NT a new home base by 2017 in the hours after the Richardson Park backflip.

Building a new ground, complete with a playing arena, grandstand seating, amenity and administration blocks, sealed carparking and ultimately lights for night matches would run into millions of dollars.

Alternative venues include Gardens Oval in Darwin City, Hidden Valley and Berrimah.

Mitchell would not reveal the financial details arising from his discussions with Giles on new construction costs.

But the NT News understands monetary figures were thrown around, to the extent the $20 million set aside for Richardson Park’s redevelopment would fall well short of what is required for a new arena built from the ground up.

Opposition leader Michael Gunner has already pointed to Warren Park in the Marrara sporting complex as a viable and logical alternative.

“All the available evidence suggests Marrara is the best option. Marrara is on the table,’’ Gunner said.

“South Darwin and Warren Park are happy to have their new home at Marrara and league will be happy to go to Marrara.

“I would be happy for league to go there and the figure to go there would be in the same ballpark as the government was going to spend at Richardson Park.’’

Mitchell said another trend had developed among sporting organisations to base themselves in the central business district, reversing the previous trend to move out of the city.

“It’s why Gardens Oval No. 2 looms as a good option for us, because there is no infrastructure there at all,’’ he said. “What we will get is everything brand new.’’

Mitchell is convinced a permanent move to the CBD is on the government’s agenda.

“(Giles) is still very, very keen to build us a stadium,’’ Mitchell said.

“He wants us to look at a few locations of course, but his philosophy is in the CBD, because of the success of Adelaide Oval, the Gabba in Brisbane, Townsville — where the Cowboys are looking at moving back into town — and the same with the Canberra Raiders.’

“But Michael Gunner has told me they are committed to Warren Park, so at the end of the day it’s not all doom and gloom for rugby league.’’