Richmond have threatened to leave Punt Road unless the council approves the club's plan to demolish the historic Jack Dyer Stand and redevelop the ground.
According to The Age, the club are reportedly not satisfied with the current state of the stand, claiming it serves “limited function” due to its current 20-person capacity.
The new plan - worth around $65 million - would see the maximum Pun Road capacity double to 8000 spectators and give the home ground the same dimensions as the MCG. The stand is set to be replaced with a new ‘William Cooper Centre,’ as well as a four-level underground car park.
The redevelopment will also include a revamp of facilities for women’s football as well as the club’s Indigenous Transition School and Korin Gamadji Institute alongside the Bachar Houli Foundation.
Heritage groups oppose the demolition of the Jack Dyer Stand. The heritage adviser to the City of Melbourne has explained to the council that the demolition of the stand would be a “significant heritage loss”, but are open to alternatives including refurbishing, relocating or raising the stand on a podium.
Richmond however remains adamant that demolition is the only option and are set on leaving Punt Road if their demands are not met.
The Tigers have been at Punt Road since the club was founded in 1885, with the club arguing that their presence at Punt Road is of far greater historical significance than the maintenance of the stand.
National Trust chief executive Simon Ambrose has stated his approval in the club to continue using the historic site but feels it will not ignore the historical significance of the stand itself.
“The Jack Dyer Stand embodies the enduring connection of the Richmond Cricket Club and Richmond Football Club with the Punt Road Oval and has architectural significance as an example of an early 20th-century grandstand at a major sporting venue,” Ambrose said.
Punt Road Oval holds incredible historical significance for the game of AFL. It was where the rules were drawn up for the first-ever game of Australian Rules football, played between Melbourne Grammar School Football Club and Scotch College on July 31, 1858.
