‘Who’s going to come up with the $40 million?’: Leichhardt Oval faces NRL extinction by 2025

[batboy]

Fox League from Fox Sports
March 18th, 2024 8:55 am​

The iconic Leichhardt Oval could be banished as an NRL fixture venue by the end of the 2025 season amid growing Occupational health and Safety issues.
Neil Breen reported on 2GB radio that Inner West Council, which controls Leichhardt Oval, has informed the Wests Tigers that the ground will be closed to professional sport in two years, citing growing OH&S issues.
However, smaller fixtures below the NRL level will potentially be able to continue using the venue.

“The Inner West Council has decided that the oval itself has a two-year shelf life for pro sports, that’s including the NRL,” Breen told 2GBs The Continuous Call Team.
“For an NRL game and all the things that come with a big crowd, it’s an occupational health and safety issue. It’s a big issue for Leichhardt and the NRL.”
The upgrades needed to ensure the facility meets both elite sport and community requirements are estimated to cost between $20 to $50 million.

“Let’s put it at $40 million [for an upgrade],” Breen said.
“Who’s going to come up with the $40 million?”

Funding to modernise the stadium was discussed in last year’s NSW state election and subsequent budget but never came to fruition.
Unless funding is secured, the future of the stadium remains uncertain beyond the 2025 season unless a combination of the three levels of government, the NRL, the Wests Tigers and private investment comes forth.
Leichhardt Oval sits in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s seat of Grayndler.

Breen pointed out a Federal election will be held in the next year or so, and funding could become an election promise.
“Anthony Albanese doesn’t love stadiums,” Breen said.

“He didn’t love funding the Brisbane Olympics and what he has to fund there.”
With no help from state or federal governments, the NRL may need to fork up the cash themselves.
“When sports are doing well like the NRL is, there is an expectation of, ‘Why can’t they put some money in,” Breen said.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has been a big supporter of preserving the NRL’s suburban grounds over bigger multi-purpose stadiums.
“From a government point of view, they go, ‘We’ve got CommBank Stadium, we’ve just rebuilt Allianz Stadium — we have these stadiums’,” Breen said.

“But the way Sydney builds itself around rugby league, people who support the Tigers don’t all want to go to Allianz for the game.
“And because the product is so good on TV, people go, ‘You know what, I’m not going to travel into town.
“If I’m a Manly fan, I’m not going to travel to the Sydney Football Stadium when I can sit at home and watch it.”
The Leichhardt development comes after Raiders coach Ricky Stuart called for a new stadium to be built in Canberra after a “pungent aroma” was noticed at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

 

[gallagher]

Looks like council is making the tough decision that the tigers havnt been able to do.

 

[cktiger]

Where's Darcy hiding now?
PS Albo has allocated $4 billion for approx. 2500 houses to be given away free, in the middle of nowhere, at a cost of $1.5 million each (not including the land which is also free)

 

[Tom Shines]

The price I saw for a modest upgrade that the council proposed was around $80m or so … $40m must get them a coat of paint and some more portaloos …

There is no chance the NRL is paying to improve an asset they don’t own and is used by multiple other sports …

The worse thing is that there doesn’t even seem to be a plan to improve Campbelltown stadium… the Council does not seem interested

Looks like come 2026 back to the empty cavern at Homebush …and because they will know their are no other options they won’t even need to pay them to play there

 

[jadtiger]

The price I saw for a modest upgrade that the council proposed was around $80m or so … $40m must get them a coat of paint and some more portaloos …

There is no chance the NRL is paying to improve an asset they don’t own and is used by multiple other sports …

The worse thing is that there doesn’t even seem to be a plan to improve Campbelltown stadium… the Council does not seem interested

Looks like come 2026 back to the empty cavern at Homebush …and because they will know their are other options they won’t even need to pay them to play there

At least Homebush has plenty of parking and is centrally located even if it is not great to watch the footy

 

[Tom Shines]

At least Homebush has plenty of parking and is centrally located even if it is not great to watch the footy

If they move back to Homebush ..,they need to make the season tickets cheap .. Dogs charge only $180 to play 10 games … Tigers charge more at LO and Cambo to play 5 games

 

[Spartan117]

Our Future is a New Stadium at Campbeltown

 

[Tom Shines]

Our Future is a New Stadium at Campbeltown

2030?

 

[innsaneink]

We couldn't do it so someone else comes in and makes a definitive decision for us on this issue

Might be very convenient for some to have HQ at Concord and play games just up the road.

What's the state o play on the Junior academy at Cambo? Has that started or is it finished?

 

[Merlot]

that pungent aroma that Ricky smelt was the style of footy that our 3 grades played on the day

 

[Halbrowne61]

Fox League from Fox Sports​

March 18th, 2024 8:55 am​

The iconic Leichhardt Oval could be banished as an NRL fixture venue by the end of the 2025 season amid growing Occupational health and Safety issues.
Neil Breen reported on 2GB radio that Inner West Council, which controls Leichhardt Oval, has informed the Wests Tigers that the ground will be closed to professional sport in two years, citing growing OH&S issues.
However, smaller fixtures below the NRL level will potentially be able to continue using the venue.

“The Inner West Council has decided that the oval itself has a two-year shelf life for pro sports, that’s including the NRL,” Breen told 2GBs The Continuous Call Team.
“For an NRL game and all the things that come with a big crowd, it’s an occupational health and safety issue. It’s a big issue for Leichhardt and the NRL.”
The upgrades needed to ensure the facility meets both elite sport and community requirements are estimated to cost between $20 to $50 million.

“Let’s put it at $40 million [for an upgrade],” Breen said.
“Who’s going to come up with the $40 million?”

Funding to modernise the stadium was discussed in last year’s NSW state election and subsequent budget but never came to fruition.
Unless funding is secured, the future of the stadium remains uncertain beyond the 2025 season unless a combination of the three levels of government, the NRL, the Wests Tigers and private investment comes forth.
Leichhardt Oval sits in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s seat of Grayndler.

Breen pointed out a Federal election will be held in the next year or so, and funding could become an election promise.
“Anthony Albanese doesn’t love stadiums,” Breen said.

“He didn’t love funding the Brisbane Olympics and what he has to fund there.”
With no help from state or federal governments, the NRL may need to fork up the cash themselves.
“When sports are doing well like the NRL is, there is an expectation of, ‘Why can’t they put some money in,” Breen said.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has been a big supporter of preserving the NRL’s suburban grounds over bigger multi-purpose stadiums.
“From a government point of view, they go, ‘We’ve got CommBank Stadium, we’ve just rebuilt Allianz Stadium — we have these stadiums’,” Breen said.

“But the way Sydney builds itself around rugby league, people who support the Tigers don’t all want to go to Allianz for the game.
“And because the product is so good on TV, people go, ‘You know what, I’m not going to travel into town.
“If I’m a Manly fan, I’m not going to travel to the Sydney Football Stadium when I can sit at home and watch it.”
The Leichhardt development comes after Raiders coach Ricky Stuart called for a new stadium to be built in Canberra after a “pungent aroma” was noticed at GIO Stadium on Saturday.

Well at least we have a timeframe and a figure. If no saviour ( public if private) looks like Campbelltown will get all the attention, which should please many on here.
But then again, if we don't start winning games the Tigers may well end up an interstate or overseas franchise. Maybe the PNG Tigers based in Cairns.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

It’s amazing that it’s lasted nearly 25 years post JV. The future has to be the South West. Surely what Penrith have done the last years with their juniors makes it a no brainer.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Well at least we have a timeframe and a figure. If no saviour ( public if private) looks like Campbelltown will get all the attention, which should please many on here.
But then again, if we don't start winning games the Tigers may well end up an interstate or overseas franchise. Maybe the PNG Tigers based in Cairns.

the club thinks they have a membership problem now...
wait until they lose leichardt rare as rocking horse shite if you want to add an extra seat currently in the latchem stand as a member.

if LO does disappear the club would have to play some games at Accor instead, moving everything to CSS is a big risk

 

[innsaneink]

I doubt they'd move to Cambo 100%

But yeah they'd have to play some at Homebush... Moore Pk and Parra are not options... (tho we thought that in 2010)...so never say never

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Only way we move to Ctown full time is Ctown gets redeveloped.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

We can drip feed the money from all our highest paid players. 🍹🙃.

 

[Spartan117]

SATIRE WARNING...

OH&S Concerns Trigger Debate Over Whether Leichhardt Oval Should Be Turned Into 600 Meriton Apartments Because Wests Tigers Are Simply Too Shit To Justify Spending $40m​

CLANCY OVERELL

In shocking news for NRL fans who once had a grandfather who lived in Balmain before it was gentrified to hell by graphic designers and kids with allergies, it seems that the Inner-Sydney footballing institution of Leichhardt Oval may no longer be hosting three games a year.

This comes as the Inner West Council, which controls Leichhardt Oval, informs the Wests Tigers that the ground will be closed to professional sport in two years due to the growing OH&S issues that tend to arise when you’ve only won one trophy in 50 years.

A discussion around providing funding to modernise the stadium arose during last year’s NSW state election. However, a subsequent budget but never realised – after state Parliament did the maths and came to the conclusion that the Wests Tigers are simply far too shit to justify that kind of wreckless spending.

However, the the Wests Tigers board, which is split directly down the middle by two factions representing long-distinct foundation clubs, who have never gotten along, and are really only still playing in the competition because of Benji Marshall’s 2005 flick pass, are now growing concerned that unless funding is secured – the stadium may be no more.

Meanwhile, the philanthropic one-and-off club sponsor MERITON have primed the board to offer them first dibs if the venue was to be discontinued.

Any combination of the three levels of government, the NRL, the Wests Tigers and private investment needs to come to the table – a coalition of warring bodies that agree on nothing but the fact that this club might want to win a few games before they start demanding $40 million dollars to renovate a stadium that gets used three times a year.

Elsewhere in Sydney, debates rage over how the harbourside location of Leichhardt Oval would be the perfect place to build 600 short-term and long-term luxury Meriton apartments.

The location’s suitable distance from the flight path, and historically corrupt local council, would make the venue perfect for 600 Meriton Apartments.

It is not yet certain if the club is honestly considering the plan to turn Leichhardt Oval into 600 Meriton apartments, but 600 Meriton apartments could result in more club memberships than the football that gets played there.

OH&S Concerns Trigger Debate Over Whether Leichhardt Oval Should Be Turned Into 600 Meriton Apartments Because Wests Tigers Are Simply Too Shit To Justify Spending $40m — The Betoota Advocate

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT In shocking news for NRL fans who once had a grandfather who lived in Balmain before it was gentrified to hell by graphic designers and kids with allergies, it seems that the Inner-Sydney footballing institution of Leichhardt Oval may no longer be hosting three...

www.betootaadvocate.com

 

[Tom Shines]

the cliche of the board being split 50/50 on the Balmain/Wests divide for every decision never gets old 🙄

How many years ago did this stop being a thing when Holman Barnes went to 90 percent and Balmain went to one spot on the board?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

when they get a house full sign at LO Saturday at $50 for a GA ticket... yeah let's not player there anymore... please
people still go to LO

 

[426Tlgerland]

Just a gut feeling that if we are able to win some games starting Saturday and we get competitive this year things may change , The NRL can come in with funding along side the council , NsW government and maybe some private donations , it will revolve around the success of the footy team , if we somehow are in the hunt this year of a top 8 spot and the crowds are strong this would change things I believe , $ 40 million is a fair chunk but if you have the NRL drop 15 mill , Council $ 5 mill , NSW Gov. $ 10 mill the other $ 10 mill will be easy to come up with via sponsors , Donations , ( Meriton Stadium ) donation $ 5 million for 3 years naming rights etc , even the club may be able to drop in some funds , couple mill , and yes I know wishful thinking but I’m staying positive on all fronts Wests Tigers , I’m sick of being negative , and watching grubs like Paul Kent and that Bald wanka slag our team , players and coaches