The funds will go towards reviving the “iconic” Leichhardt Oval, including building a new grandstand at the northern end of the field, upgrades to existing facilities and amenities and the construction of a new women’s change room.
The federal government will provide $20 million for the renovation, while the NSW government and the Inner West Council will contribute $10 million each.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese admitted that without the funding, the oval would have been forced to close.
“This is an iconic venue… these local sporting grounds are so important for building community,” Albanese said.
“Rugby League, football and other sports are about more than just what happens on the field… it’s about identity… it’s about who you are, that sense of community.
“Leichhardt Oval is at the heart of this community here in the inner west.
“The truth is that this ground is not fit for purpose. If this upgrade did not occur we would inevitably see major sporting events leave this local community, and that’s not what Sydney needs.
“I want young people to get off their phones and onto the fields.”
The oval is slated to see 120 sporting events this year, with 30 per cent being women’s teams.
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said a big part of the upgrade will be focused on keeping crowds coming back to watch women’s sporting events at Leichhardt.
”This is about saving the West Tigers at Leichhardt Oval but it’s also about the future of the ground as a hub for women and girls sport.
“When the ground is renovated, our goal will be for 50 per cent of all of the content here to be women’s and girls’ sports.
“We’ve seen a flood of female participation coming into all of our sports but we have to invest in the facilities to enable that participation.”
The oval is an iconic venue for the inner west, with the NRL’s West Tigers (then called the Balmain Tigers) hosting their games there since 1934.
The grounds are badly deteriorated, with some bathrooms so badly damaged they have been closed for years.
In 2002, two southern grandstands were closed for public safety reasons.
The oval underwent a safety upgrade in 2009 funded by the West Tigers and the federal government.
Years later in 2022, a railing collapsed during a local rugby game, sending spectators into the concrete below.
Byrne said the oval’s deep history with the community makes the site the “8th wonder of the world” and said he was grateful that it had finally received a lifeline.
“One thing is for sure [Tiger’s greats] Keith Barnes and Laurie Nichols are looking down this morning with a tear in their eye and a smile on their face.”
“There’s so many thousands of people across Australia that have the same emotional attachment to Leichhardt Oval.
“On behalf of the inner west council I want to say to everybody who’s fought to save the 8th wonder of the world – thank you. We’ve done it.”