It is one of the oldest grounds still being used in the NRL. Now the aging Leichhardt Oval has been given a funding lifeline. All three levels of government have committed to a 40-million-dollar upgrade, including a new grandstand and improving facilities for women’s sport.
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00:00Happy Leichhardt Oval Day, everybody.
00:04The true believers call it the eighth wonder of the world, but right now, it's hard to
00:08see why.
00:09There hasn't been a significant investment in the ground for 50 years, so it's probably
00:14long overdue.
00:15Its lifeline is made up of $20 million from the Federal Government and $10 million each
00:20from the New South Wales Government and Inner West Council.
00:23The truth is that this ground is not fit for purpose, and if this upgrade did not occur,
00:32we would inevitably see major sporting events leave this local community.
00:39In 2022, fans at a GPS schoolboys rugby match fell from a terrace after a railing gave way.
00:46The upgrade will remove that section, replacing it with a new northern grandstand.
00:50A female-friendly locker room will also be constructed following the recent increase
00:55in women's sport held at the ground.
00:56I think they've had to make makeshift change rooms in the car park, you know, it's just
01:02not good enough.
01:03The Tigers are yet to commit to holding any more men's NRL games here at Leichhardt, but
01:08say they are reviewing the situation and aim to have their three-year stadium strategy
01:14finished by the end of the month.
01:16Keith Barnes and Laurie Nicholls are looking down this morning with a tear in their eye
01:21and a smile on their face.
01:22And by the looks of it, the smiles are infectious.