Leichhardt Oval Master Plan unveiled

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Screenshot_20231020_030321_Facebook.jpgAustadiums | Australian Stadiums & Sport

NRL - Leichhardt Oval Master Plan unveiled to upgrade iconic venue
Source: Austadiums | Thursday 19th October 2023

Leichhardt Oval Master Plan - Sydney’s Inner West Council has unveiled a $100 million Master Plan to restore Leichhardt Oval to its former glory.

Features of the upgrade to the iconic suburban ground include a new northern grandstand and major upgrades to the existing western grandstand, however the project is reliant on funding from the state and federal governments.

At a meeting on October 10, the Council adopted the Draft Leichhardt Oval Masterplan and will write to the relevant State and Federal Government Ministers seeking a joint funding partnership between all three levels of Government.

The masterplan, developed by architectural firm COX, splits the upgrade of the existing Western Grandstand into moderate and major options, dependant on the level of funding available for the project.

The moderate option includes upgrade to corporate and media facilities on the upper level, new mezzanine floors at the rear with multi-purpose rooms, and new and upgraded players and public facilities on the ground level. This option would reduce the total project cost to around $45 million.

The major option would see the roof of the grandstand lifted to allow for a new media level, new corporate facilities on the upper level, new public amenities and new and upgraded player and public facilities on the ground level, and new seating between the lower and upper level.

Also part of the upgrade is a new 1,580-seat roofed grandstand at the northern end of the ground, while the lower seating bowl around the field would be upgraded to replace existing bench seating and aged seats, with additional rows to the east and west of the field to increasing seating to approximately 4,835.

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The Wests Tigers recently announced the club will play five of its 12 NRL home games at Leichhardt Oval in 2024, with five to also played at its other spiritual home – Campbelltown Sports Stadium. The club had previously played some home games at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said as wondrous as Leichhardt Oval is, the ‘eighth wonder' is in desperate need of a makeover. So too are improvements needed at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Pascoe said government funding is crucial if Wests Tigers is to commit long-term to home games at its two traditional venues.

“As a club we are wanting and willing to commit to this strategy, but these grounds must be fit for purpose. It’s as simple as that,” said Pascoe.

“We need facilities to be improved to adequately cater for both NRL and NRLW games.

“It’s bordering on negligent to think that we don’t have female change rooms at these grounds. This is just unacceptable.

“Government must understand that without the appropriate level of funding, these two great home grounds will become obsolete. That is something none of us want.”

The long-term home of the Wests Tigers appears to be up in the air however, with the Sydney Morning Herald reporting earlier this month that the club, in partnership with Liverpool Council, have approached the NSW government with a proposal to build a 20,000-seat stadium in the heart of Liverpool CBD, with a view to making it the club’s permanent home.

Leichhardt Oval is serving as Sydney FC’s primary home ground for A-League Women’s matches for the 2023/24 season and will host two double-headers as part of the recently announced Unite Round where all games will be played in Sydney across one weekend.

The council completed an upgrade of the amenities and viewing platform at the northern end earlier this year after a railing collapsed during a match last year, sending spectators crashing to the ground.

At the meeting on October 10, the Inner West Council also resolved to incorporate provision for public access to the Wayne Pearce Hill for recreation use based on the same principles as the existing use of Henson Park. This is to commence with a trial of weekday access, including evenings, to be undertaken from December 2023 to February 2024.

www.austadiums.com

Leichhardt Oval Master Plan unveiled to upgrade iconic venue

Sydney’s Inner West Council has unveiled a $100 million Master Plan to restore Leichhardt Oval to its former glory.
www.austadiums.com www.austadiums.com
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Ha, we’ve never had a “Master Plan” in our entire existence. So I know before I read it, it can’t be true.

edit: The masterplan, developed by architectural firm COX.
 
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"It’s bordering on negligent to think that we don’t have female change rooms at these grounds. This is just unacceptable."


That's the thoughts of the CEO, they acknowledge the ground isn't suitable but but they chose to play MORE games there. Totally makes sense.
 
I blame myself for the deterioration of LO. At the end of Balmain's last game, I dug up a bucket load of The Hill turf and took it home to my Concord West Manse. I planted it in the backyard and it soon took over. I swear you could hear the Tigers! Tigers! Tigers! chant on a Sunday arvo as the Sun set over The Iron Cove River.
 
Mossman said:
This Has to happen
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this won’t happen as no $$$..

And they vote Green
gallagher said:
"It’s bordering on negligent to think that we don’t have female change rooms at these grounds. This is just unacceptable."


That's the thoughts of the CEO, they acknowledge the ground isn't suitable but but they chose to play MORE games there. Totally makes sense.
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Well… more stand alone games …. Don’t expect any men’s/ women’s double headers
 
These plans have been around for months. And they don't go anywhere near far enough, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I don't knew how 100 million gets you the exact same floor plan that the stadium currently has, just a more modernised version and a tiny stand at one end.
The only option worth having is to knock down the existing stand and build a new one the wraps itself all the way around to the northern end. Then there's plenty of space for corporates, change rooms etc and a better chance of protection from the elements.
Like what Brookie has. If bloody Brookvale could get a decent upgrade, when they have very limited usage then one of, if not the, busiest stadiums in NSW should definitely be able to get the upgrade
 
balmain boy said:
These plans have been around for months. And they don't go anywhere near far enough, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I don't knew how 100 million gets you the exact same floor plan that the stadium currently has, just a more modernised version and a tiny stand at one end.
The only option worth having is to knock down the existing stand and build a new one the wraps itself all the way around to the northern end. Then there's plenty of space for corporates, change rooms etc and a better chance of protection from the elements.
Like what Brookie has. If bloody Brookvale could get a decent upgrade, when they have very limited usage then one of, if not the, busiest stadiums in NSW should definitely be able to get the upgrade
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100 million to it looks like put a roof on the toilet block.
I'll do it with a couple of my Maltese cousins for 1 million. It'll take us about a week.
Give me a call Pascoe
 
balmain boy said:
These plans have been around for months. And they don't go anywhere near far enough, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I don't knew how 100 million gets you the exact same floor plan that the stadium currently has, just a more modernised version and a tiny stand at one end.
The only option worth having is to knock down the existing stand and build a new one the wraps itself all the way around to the northern end. Then there's plenty of space for corporates, change rooms etc and a better chance of protection from the elements.
Like what Brookie has. If bloody Brookvale could get a decent upgrade, when they have very limited usage then one of, if not the, busiest stadiums in NSW should definitely be able to get the upgrade
Click to expand...
Looks like the grandstand is being expanded out the back but yes a wraparound would be nice. And something should happen at the other end of the stadium as well. The heritage status of the KBS makes it hard to put in a modern wing.
 
It won't happen with Darcy in charge. He only knows how to create enemies, not friends. Even with Labor in State Govt, he'll find some way to get nothing done.

He'll probably just take it backwards, like the club at rozelle.
 
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Needaname said:
Looks like the grandstand is being expanded out the back but yes a wraparound would be nice. And something should happen at the other end of the stadium as well. The heritage status of the KBS makes it hard to put in a modern wing.
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I just don't see the point in keeping the same number of seats, and the same amount of space for corporates, just putting more behind the glass. Build a steeper gradient, create more useable space. The corners of the ground are absolutely wasted. We can't do anything with the KBS, but bring the Latchem much closer to it, there doesn't need to be open space with a food truck there, develop that corner too!! Like seriously, the new change rooms have to go somewhere, we need to create new spaces, which may require moving current toilets and food outlets. And then wrap it around the north end too.
 
gallagher said:
"It’s bordering on negligent to think that we don’t have female change rooms at these grounds. This is just unacceptable."


That's the thoughts of the CEO, they acknowledge the ground isn't suitable but but they chose to play MORE games there. Totally makes sense.
Click to expand...
Fans want them to play from their traditional home grounds. Right now it is the closest thing to actually having a home stadium or stadiums including Campbelltown. Besides both need upgrades if they want to commit to them fully in the future, otherwise the club just goes back to being a passenger at another big stadium they’ll never call home.
 
balmain boy said:
I just don't see the point in keeping the same number of seats, and the same amount of space for corporates, just putting more behind the glass. Build a steeper gradient, create more useable space. The corners of the ground are absolutely wasted. We can't do anything with the KBS, but bring the Latchem much closer to it, there doesn't need to be open space with a food truck there, develop that corner too!! Like seriously, the new change rooms have to go somewhere, we need to create new spaces, which may require moving current toilets and food outlets. And then wrap it around the north end too.
Click to expand...
I'd say they've done it so there are no issues with increased traffic management.

Avoids a major hurdle.

But they should have expanded corporate to improve the financial viability. Wouldn't mean a major increase in headcount
 
balmain boy said:
These plans have been around for months. And they don't go anywhere near far enough, you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I don't knew how 100 million gets you the exact same floor plan that the stadium currently has, just a more modernised version and a tiny stand at one end.
The only option worth having is to knock down the existing stand and build a new one the wraps itself all the way around to the northern end. Then there's plenty of space for corporates, change rooms etc and a better chance of protection from the elements.
Like what Brookie has. If bloody Brookvale could get a decent upgrade, when they have very limited usage then one of, if not the, busiest stadiums in NSW should definitely be able to get the upgrade
Click to expand...
Agreed, stand should go all the way around to meet each other. Bottom terrace seats should meet the current stand with tunnel we’re the walk way is currently!
 
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