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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”.
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“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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Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne previously confirmed Leichhardt Oval would close without funding.
“If there is no upgrade coming, the truth is the ground will close,” Byrne said to Nine.
Leichhardt Oval has been the Tigers home for 90 years and during a recent high school rugby union match between St Joseph’s College and Riverview an ugly incident occurred.
Following a Joeys’ try, a crowd gathered at the front of a small grandstand, only for it to collapse under the weight of the fans.
Hagipantelis revealed the stadium has received the relevant checks and doesn’t currently pose any risk — but couldn’t rule out rusting in other parts of the ground.
“You would think so, there was an inquiry undertaken just after the accident a couple of weeks ago… (the grandstand was) rusting internally, things that aren’t visible with the naked eye,” Hagipantelis said.
“If it was happening there, why wouldn’t it be happening elsewhere as well.
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“They have satisfied themselves that at the moment it doesn’t pose an unnecessary risk to patrons, but that is not going to continue for much longer.
“It is not just the Wests Tigers that benefit from Leichhardt… that facility would host 300 games between schoolboys football and soccer and A-League and rugby union.
“It is an incredible community facility that really needs some care.”
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