Well, that's the point of AROS! Shame others don't get get stuck in and have some fun!
I think MikeJ's board is probably the best option... that way, if you find yourself totally stumped and bored with VHDL... at least you will have a new Amiga... 
There's some real hardcore Amiga coders (68k and C) on this site and I personally a couple of them. As you say it's a crying shame they haven't helped out so far.

Being under NDA/no-compete from certain PPC dedicated software houses might be the problem though.
MikeJ's board does look rather tempting, moe tempting than a MorphOS licence key for my Christmas pressie (If you are reading this love!)
IMO it would be better to get the fpgaarcade board, not only it is cheaper, but anything meaningful you achieve could be tested by others people.
I'm sold.
