Stakeholders band together to make call on Leichhardt

“Some brighter news for Wests Tigers fans and rugby league fans more generally … Leichhardt Oval looks like it’s going to be saved,” O’Keefe said. c

“We’re in the final stages at least, of a deal being struck between the Prime Minister and the Federal Government, State Government and the Premier Chris Mins, as well as the local council and the Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne.”

O’Keefe confirmed the group of key stakeholders would all chip in to renovate the rundown facilities, dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world”.

“Looks like they’re all going to be throwing in a little bit of money,” he said.

“It will be 10 of millions of dollars, that’s my understanding. but it will be enough to secure Leichhardt Oval’s future going forward.”

Leichhardt Oval’s future has been on a knife’s edge after Tigers boss Shane Richardson hinted at moving the side’s home games to Accor Stadium.

But now that a deal is to be struck from those key stakeholders, it’s up to the Tigers to consider whether the upgrades will allow their club to flourish in the future.

”Now it’s over to Richo and the Tigers as to whether or not that will be enough to ensure they continue to play home games at Leichhardt Oval,” O’Keefe said.

“You’d suspect after all of this, that would be enough to make sure the Tigers do remain at the eighth wonder of the world.”

The upgrades required to ensure the facility meets both elite sport and community requirements are estimated to cost between $20 to $50 million.

Leichhardt Oval isn’t just home to the Tigers. It also hosts rugby union and football, as well as junior sporting events.