Balmain Leagues Club in hotpot of heated discussions
Image: Leichhardt Oval
Discussions over the $2 million proposal for extensive upgrades for Leichhardt Oval could have far-reaching impacts for the future of Balmain Leagues Club, proposed to be redeveloped under the Rozelle Village plan.
With the recent push for Western Suburbs to take further control in their joint venture with Balmain, the Wests Tigers now hope to ensure the fabric of the community is not lost through relocation of rugby league matches away from Leichhardt.
In 2010, Leichhardt Council proposed a funding plan of extensive upgrades to Leichhardt Oval: improving the seating, fixing the amenities, the scoreboards and other key facilities.
Interim CEO at Wests Tigers, Daniel Munk said Leichhardt Oval was crucial for the prospects of the Balmain Leagues Club insofar it provides a premium sporting ground that benefits junior rugby programs and their grassroots development.
“It’s an historical oval that has great significance to that community,” he said. “The benefit of taking [Leichhardt] Oval to the next stage is that there will be long life in the oval, and that Balmain Tigers will be able to use that oval for its junior Balmain Leagues Club games for extended periods of time.”
Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne said abandoning Leichhardt Oval would be a tragedy for the local community.
“Each home game at Leichhardt provides a huge boost to the local economy, is a celebration of local community spirit and brings a large number of residents [together],” he said.
Managing Director of Rozelle Village, Ian Wright said the Rozelle Towers development would create 4,000 jobs during construction. He was adamant returning the Balmain Tigers to their traditional home at Leichhardt Oval was an important part of the decision-making process.
“The commitment to return the Tigers to their traditional home has always been at the forefront of the Rozelle Village development proposal,” Mr Wright said.
But former Mayor of Leichhardt and Greens Councillor, Rochelle Porteous said there has been strong opposition towards the Rozelle Towers development.
“We had the Balmain Rozelle Business Chamber, the local resident groups, the Balmain Association and councillors from all political parties speaking in the opposition to this appalling development proposal,” she said.
Mr Munk said the Rozelle Village development is an essential part of the leagues club’s long-term well-being and the club was intrinsic to the process.
“Rozelle Village saw what the club was trying to do … linking community benefits [with] sporting [and] commercial activities such as retail and the vibrancy of the developing area,” he said. “The club started the concept and Rozelle Village saw [its] value … Otherwise it [would have been] just another major highway development.”
As a club currently in transition, Balmain Leagues Club was opened in 1957 as a home for supporters and the local community. Identified as “a place of historical significance” by the Australian Rugby League in 2008, the leagues club shut its doors in March 2010 after 53 years of service, with the space vacated to make way for the Sydney Metro.
Supporters of the Rozelle Village development argue the development is the leagues club’s best hope for survival amid ongoing financial woes.
