Concord Oval

Concord Oval, located at Loftus St, Concord NSW 2137, underwent a transformative redevelopment to become the Concord Oval community and sports precinct. This $84 million project represents the largest infrastructure endeavour ever undertaken by the City of Canada Bay, supported by funding from the NSW Government, Australian Government, and Wests Tigers.

Project Scope: The redevelopment aimed to modernise Concord Oval into a state-of-the-art facility catering to both community and elite sports needs. Scheduled for completion in January 2023, the precinct offers:

• Indoor Recreation Centre: Featuring a gym, multipurpose sports courts, and group fitness rooms.
• Community Programs: Dedicated rooms for various community activities, programs, and functions.
• Match Day Facilities: Designed to support local sports clubs with modern amenities and infrastructure.
• Centre of Excellence: The Wests Tigers’ training and administration base, known as the Zurich Centre, integrated within the precinct.

Historical Context: Originally established on the site of St Luke’s Park and formerly known as Waratah Rugby Park, Concord Oval gained prominence as a rugby stadium during the 1987 Rugby World Cup. Over the years, it has been a cornerstone for rugby in NSW, home to the NSW Waratahs and the Wests Tigers NRL club.

Facility Features: The new Concord Oval precinct includes grandstand seating for approximately 800 spectators, complemented by terracing on the opposite side, providing an estimated total capacity of 4,000. Additional amenities such as change rooms, coaches’ boxes, a public plaza, landscaped areas, a cafe, and community rooms enhance the overall experience for visitors and participants alike.

Impact and Benefits: The Concord Oval redevelopment significantly enhances the recreational and sporting landscape of Sydney’s inner west. It serves as a hub for both local community engagement and elite sports training, fostering a vibrant and active environment for residents and sports enthusiasts.

This project underscores a commitment to preserving the legacy of Concord Oval while ushering in a new era of community-focused infrastructure, reinforcing its status as a central sporting venue in Sydney.