Wests Tigers have given Campbelltown City Council an ultimatum: provide a commitment by June 30 for a $150 million upgrade to Campbelltown Stadium or the club will be forced to explore other options.
“By June 30 this year, Wests Tigers will need to lock in a long term plan for our future growth and commercial support from our stadium partners,’’ the club says in a media statement released this afternoon.
“If that commitment cannot be given, we must reconsider our commitment to the stadium.
“If the redevelopment is supported, the club will commit to hosting a minimum of seven to nine home games per season for the next 10 years across both NRL and NRLW teams, ensuring equal access and opportunity for men’s and women’s rugby league in the region.
The statement follows meetings last week between the club, Campbelltown Council and the NRL.
In attendance were Shane Richardson, the Tigers chief executive officer, NRL boss Andrew Abdo and the Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound and CEO Lindy Deitz.
The club statement says Wests Tigers, Campbelltown Council, and the NRL “are working together to try and ensure that Wests Tigers play at Campbelltown over the next 10-15 years.
“Campbelltown Sports Stadium is not a fit-for-purpose, modern venue that meets the standards for professional rugby league in Sydney’s South West.
“A significant investment of $50 million in the short term (3 years) and $100 million over the next 5-10 years is required.
“This would upgrade the venue to a stadium that makes it financially viable for the NRL and NRLW games to be played there.’’
The club says these upgrades would seat 24,000 fans and accommodate 1,500 corporate guests.
“We will also see improvements to dressing rooms, big screens, LEDs, and general fan comfort.
“Communities throughout Australia are desperate to gain an NRL team in their region,’’ it goes on to say.
“Campbelltown has one of those teams, us, for the long term, but it will depend on what they can commit to.
“Ongoing discussions are continuing with revamping and upgrading Leichhardt Oval as part of the new strategic plan.’’
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said: ““Simply, we want to play out of Campbelltown Stadium as part of our strategic plan. However, we cannot do this under the current stadium set-up.
“A modern venue will unlock much-needed revenue through corporate hospitality, enhance the match-day experience, and increase broadcast value,’’ he said.
“As the game continues to evolve, so must the Wests Tigers. If we want to compete at the highest level against other NRL clubs based in modern venues, we need to address the financial advantage those clubs currently have.”
The media statement also outlines what the Wests Tigers have done to embed themselves in the South West and build a strong rugby league presence from the ground up.
“Over the past year, the club has:
- Invested more than $2 million into the Wests Tigers Empower program focused on the primary prevention of domestic violence
- Delivered the inaugural Pasifika Youth Summit, supporting young leaders in the region
- Reached over 4,700 students across 34 schools through our Community Blitz
- Opened a dedicated Campbelltown office to strengthen local engagement
- Built stronger links with junior league through the Club Ambassador Program, working toward a target of 10,000 junior players
- Delivered a series of fan engagement and community events to unite and grow our supporter base
The South West Voice asked Campbelltown Council for a response before publication.
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Yet they keep playing at Leichardt which is a dump. If they walk away from Campbelltown stuff them.
Really?
they expect ratepayers to fork out so that they can run a successful commercial enterprise?? Rate payers already contribute via Federal taxes and State taxes now they’re called on to contribute a third time, get a grip on yourselves guys!!??
The upgrade of our stadium will require funding from the State Government and there is enough electorates in the Campbelltown MacArthur region to make or break any State Government. This was recognised in the Penrith area and now they are getting a modern stadium. The MacArthur region will grow so it will be much larger than Penrith with some Million plus residents
Before Council contribute anything for an upgrade they should know exactly how many games Wests men’s 1st grade team will play at Campbelltown.
Since coming to Campbelltown Wests have never committed to Campbelltown. It’s about time they did.
Sick of these elite sports outfits constantly demanding that taxpayers and ratepayers pay for them when they make tens of millions of dollars in sponsorships, TV licensing and pay no tax. What a waste of money the upgrade of the Sydney football stadium was to build basically a like for like facility. If they want to demand millions of dollars from ratepayers or leave then stuff them. The money would be better spent on almost anything.