Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has revealed Leichhardt Oval could be unable to host elite sports from 2023 onwards unless funding is provided by the NSW Government.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pulled funding originally allocated to upgrade suburban grounds including Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale Oval and Shark Park.
The Panthers are still set to receive a brand new stadium worth $450 million according to Hagipatenlis, while the Tigers spiritual home is set to “suffer”.
“It is my understanding, due to the lack of funding, you’re actually counting down your final days at Leichhardt Oval, unless funding is provided,” The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said.
“Distinct possibility David, we are just a tenant of Leichhardt Oval, but a major tenant, we only play three or four games there a year,” Hagipantelis said on Triple M.
“Unless there is money spent on that facility, unless there is an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century, then by the end of 2023 there will be no further elite sports played there.”
The Tigers boss provided a simple solution to the NSW Government — $50 million to resurrect the ground, questioning why other NRL clubs received funding.
“That means the Wests Tigers would suffer, all our supporters and fans would suffer… there is a relatively simple solution, it is $50 million dollars,” Hagipantelis said.
“I don’t put a lot of faith in what politicians tell us, particularly around election time, so I think you might find there is a change of heart either just before or just after the next election.
“If they can find $450 million for Penrith and $830 million for the Roosters, I am sure they can find $50 million for the Tigers.”
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@tiger5150 Do not hold your breath , the next government will struggle to pay the new wage structures after all the striking … No money for council grounds .3 perfectly good stadiums to play at !
In truth the idea that the government can’t pay for anything isn’t right. They can pay for whatever they like it’s just a question of what they prioritise. The budget blew out $5b this year just on cost over runs on their infrastructure. The stadium stuff is high profile but small potato’s when compared with the motor ways and train lines
Neither party is going to win any votes by putting $ into Leichhardt Oval.
No I agree, but they could look like they are doing something by cancelling a $500M project and then replacing with $150M spread over three electorates. Im just making it up as I go along.
@tiger5150 Do not hold your breath , the next government will struggle to pay the new wage structures after all the striking … No money for council grounds .3 perfectly good stadiums to play at !
In truth the idea that the government can’t pay for anything isn’t right. They can pay for whatever they like it’s just a question of what they prioritise. The budget blew out $5b this year just on cost over runs on their infrastructure. The stadium stuff is high profile but small potato’s when compared with the motor ways and train lines
Neither party is going to win any votes by putting $ into Leichhardt Oval.
No I agree, but they could look like they are doing something by cancelling a $500M project and then replacing with $150M spread over three electorates. Im just making it up as I go along.
The new (not a rebuild but additional) Penrith stadium, absolutely needs to be canceled. Total waste of taxpayers money. Doubt part of the money saved would be re-diverted into suburban grounds but one can always hope.
He implied that the proposal which was funded (and then rescinded) was to rebuild the western (and maybe northern) stands. He is absolutely hammering Perrottet so highly doubtful the NSW government changes it’s mind. It’s possible the Commonwealth government could provide funding but it’s not exactly a project of national importance. Even if the labor party wins government in NSW next year it seems unlikely they will put money into stadiums as they have used this as a weapon against the Liberals (it’s pork barreling etc, money better spent on schools and hospitals). I would be shocked if there is any money for Leichhardt in the next 5 years. The whole “it’s falling apart and dangerous” is pretty much a beat up, it’s run down and the facilities for players and spectators are 3rd world but it’s not dangerous
So even if the funding came through, the ground overall would not improve much. The hill will still remain the hill and a perfectly useable stand knocked over and replaced. I was expecting the money would build a new grandstand on the eastern side.
They don't want to get rid of the hill.
Unfortunately the hill is a lawsuit waiting to happen when it rains. They will need to do something to improve the drainage or some other way to eliminate the quagmire when it rains.
The hill is great but when the crowd gets above 10k it does start to become uncomfortable. Maybe I’m getting old and looking for a little luxury for my tush by having a proper seat to sit on.
2023 FIFA World Cup aside, pretty clear now that LO/CSS even split is officially the plan. Hopefully the club can get some investment to bring these stadiums into the 21st century.
2023 FIFA World Cup aside, pretty clear now that LO/CSS even split is officially the plan. Hopefully the club can get some investment to bring these stadiums into the 21st century.
Has been the plan for some time. Justin Pascoe said it as far back as round 1.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
So what is the go with the Fifa world cup where will we play our games during that time
So what is the go with the Fifa world cup where will we play our games during that time
That hasn't been announced yet.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I have never known an organisation, sporting or otherwise, to so consistently make the wrong decisions.
Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis has revealed Leichhardt Oval could be unable to host elite sports from 2023 onwards unless funding is provided by the NSW Government.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pulled funding originally allocated to upgrade suburban grounds including Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale Oval and Shark Park.
The Panthers are still set to receive a brand new stadium worth $450 million according to Hagipatenlis, while the Tigers spiritual home is set to “suffer”.
“It is my understanding, due to the lack of funding, you’re actually counting down your final days at Leichhardt Oval, unless funding is provided,” The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said.
“Distinct possibility David, we are just a tenant of Leichhardt Oval, but a major tenant, we only play three or four games there a year,” Hagipantelis said on Triple M.
“Unless there is money spent on that facility, unless there is an upgrade to bring it into the 21st century, then by the end of 2023 there will be no further elite sports played there.”
The Tigers boss provided a simple solution to the NSW Government — $50 million to resurrect the ground, questioning why other NRL clubs received funding.
“That means the Wests Tigers would suffer, all our supporters and fans would suffer… there is a relatively simple solution, it is $50 million dollars,” Hagipantelis said.
“I don’t put a lot of faith in what politicians tell us, particularly around election time, so I think you might find there is a change of heart either just before or just after the next election.
“If they can find $450 million for Penrith and $830 million for the Roosters, I am sure they can find $50 million for the Tigers.”
So our arguement about why we should get funding for l.o. is it's not fair. We sound like a 6 year old in the play ground. But he got this and he got that and i got nothing. Wahhh.
I might be in holiday mode, but I can’t make sense of that press release.
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I might be in holiday mode, but I can’t make sense of that press release.
If @garry is correct and this has been the plan from round 1 the the press release is redundant. There is no information in it other than “we will announce in the future where we will play”.
I might be in holiday mode, but I can’t make sense of that press release.
If @garry is correct and this has been the plan from round 1 the the press release is redundant. There is no information in it other than “we will announce in the future where we will play”.
It pretty much confirms that the stadium strategy is to return to the traditional home grounds but that is not possible next year due to the world cup so there will be an announcement about those games soon.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
I might be in holiday mode, but I can’t make sense of that press release.
If @garry is correct and this has been the plan from round 1 the the press release is redundant. There is no information in it other than “we will announce in the future where we will play”.
It pretty much confirms that the stadium strategy is to return to the traditional home grounds but that is not possible next year due to the world cup so there will be an announcement about those games soon.
Do we know what the likely solution is next year then? Everyone plays at Accor?
I might be in holiday mode, but I can’t make sense of that press release.
If @garry is correct and this has been the plan from round 1 the the press release is redundant. There is no information in it other than “we will announce in the future where we will play”.
It pretty much confirms that the stadium strategy is to return to the traditional home grounds but that is not possible next year due to the world cup so there will be an announcement about those games soon.
Do we know what the likely solution is next year then? Everyone plays at Accor?
I have a rough idea of our plan but don't think I am allowed to share it publicly.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
