During the 2006 election campaign, Labor promised to "provide a new home for the Women's Circus as part of the redevelopment of the Footscray Community Arts Centre".

While the centre's $2.75million redevelopment is under way, no provision has been made to house the circus there.

It is still sharing half of the drill hall in Barkly Street, West Footscray, with arts company Snuff Puppets.

General manager Dianne Toulson said the drill hall wasn't supposed to become a permanent home for the circus after it was moved from the arts centre in 2006.

She said the space was too small, the ceiling too low, and there was no heating or cooling.

The circus trains 200 women each week and has another 200 on a waiting list.

More than 100 of its members perform throughout the year, culminating in a major annual show that must be held at high cost elsewhere.

Ms Toulson said the circus would love to double the number of classes it held and increase its outreach services to the community but could not do so with its existing space.

"We're desperately seeking a purpose-built space. Of course, it all comes down to money and the lack of it. A lot of people are saying we're aware of it and are looking into it, but noone is taking action."

A Department of Community Development spokeswoman said the arts centre redevelopment, funded by the State Government, included a multipurpose community arts space that would be available to a range of groups such as the circus.

Maribyrnong Council is also looking at building a home for the circus on its land behind the Footscray arts centre.

Council documents show that building on the 1360-square-metre site doesn't require a permit.

However, the cost of cleaning up the contaminated soil and building a circus home is estimated at $2.5-5.3 million.

Mayor Michael Clarke said keeping the Women's Circus was fundamental to Footscray's becoming "an artistic city".

Over the past 17 years, the circus has passed on skills to prisoners, prostitutes, refugees and people with disabilities.

Outreach worker Annemarie Ferguson said she was proud to help marginalised people gain new skills and develop self-esteem.

"As human beings, we feel better about ourselves when we achieve something.

"That could be conquering a fear of heights or the fact someone leaves their house and turns up to a class.

"Watching people's perception of themselves change is the thing that thrills me with what I do."