After a weekend with the team suffering a loss, any news would be difficult to swallow as good news, and any news except that which would include the names of players on their way to the Lions would seem insignificant. Despite the news not being rugby related, it should alleviate a few concerns for all of us.

Last week I received an invitation from the union to attend a meeting – the meeting was about the “Ellis Park Experience”. I wasn’t quite sure what the meeting was about, but was later informed that it was about a match day at the park, and where shortcomings and problems would be highlighted and addressed.

I was also not sure who was going to attend, what the format would be, and what sort of concerns would be addressed. The meeting started with a short self introduction of all the attendees.

Amongst the delegates were management members from Ellis Park World of Sport (EWPOS), who manage the stadium. They also manage the Arena (Standard Bank) and the Johannesburg Stadium. Their top brass were all there! Their duties include the day to day management of the Park, the maintenance, the parking, traffic, refreshments, seating, ablution & cleaning…I’m quite sure you get the picture.
Other attendees were the Lions marketing/media people, club representatives, referees society and a few from the Lions exco. There were also 3 fans, 2 of who were also regular suite visitors (not me), and one of the 2 was an ex suite owner. I was the only regular “stand spectator”.

We then found out that the meeting/workshop would be held over 3 days, where the first would be the identifying the concerns, and the next 2 days would be spent solving all the issues. The ‘fans’ only attended the first day.
When the formalities were concluded, we were all asked to list 4 or 5 positives we could take out of our last 3 experiences at the park. I listed 1 – the general condition of the stadium. The next task was to list the negatives, I stopped after 10.

The third, we were given a list of items we had to rate from 1 to 5 (1 bad and 5 good). The list included parking, security, ease of access, security, seating etc (there were 16 items on the list). The scores were tallied, averaged and divided into categories, Fans, EWPOS and GLRU.
It was interesting how the category scores varied, from the fans to the people who park in the stadium and sit in the suites to those of the fans. The low scoring issues were then addressed, and I insisted that the parking be tackled first

I don’t know how many of the fans remember how much consternation was caused a few months ago, when I had a full go at Mr. Willie Geldenhuys about the parking? Guess what, Mr. Geldenhuys was also there. Round number 2!
Mr. Geldenhuys was quite chuffed with the amount of secure parking the Park offered. I then questioned the difficulty of purchasing a parking ticket. I was amazed when a Lions Exco member expressed how surprised that parking tickets were being sold. He honestly did not know! I also found it strange how unaware the meeting was of all the shortcomings.

I also mentioned disabled parking and seating. The parking took quite a chunk out of the meeting, but I also mentioned refreshment prices, the disabled parking and seating, as well as the new braai area.
When we adjourned for lunch, I ended up at the same table as the EPWOS ‘boss’, and then challenged him to go to the WP game without a match or parking ticket and test his own systems. He eagerly accepted the challenge, and ensured me that he would forfeit his Presidential suite seat and sit with me in the stands.

After lunch, it was evident that Mr. Geldenhyus and a few others had discussed the parking. It was decided that all reserved parking around the stadium would now cost R60, this includes the parking arcade on the eastern side of the park (opposite side to the tunnel), the JHB stadium (opposite side of the touchdown restaurant or the old screen side), and Jhb college (Western side of the Park).

The parking tickets will now be sold by the parking attendants and can be purchased through your car window. It must be remembered that there are season ticket holders (for parking) in the arcade, and space is limited. There is a disabled drop off zone in the proximity of the parking arcade, and provision has been made for disabled seating on the lower eastern side of the Park.

Apparently there is extra seating for 100 fans, and if I understood correctly, seats will be spaced to accommodate wheelchairs, i.e. 1 seat, 1 wheelchair, 1 seat, 1 wheelchair. This in itself is a vast improvement and deserves to be applauded.

Beer prices will be fixed at R12, soft cooler boxes will be allowed and non alcoholic beverages in 500ml and smaller plastic bottles will be allowed into the stadium. Smoking will not be allowed on the stands.

It would seem that not many people are aware of the braai facilities on the northern side of the stadium. This area has been revamped, with lawn planted and cadac gas braais ready to use. Meat and rolls can also be purchased at the braai area, but feel free to bring your own. Maak n daar n draai!

Another issue of concern for the fans is the communication from the union and EWPOS. This issue is also being addressed. At the moment there are 3 official websites where various tidbits of info can be found. All the info is there, but not in a single place. Within the next few weeks, the GLRU, The Lions Pride and Ellis Park World of Sport will be incorporated into a single website, where all the information concerning the union, the supporters club and Ellis Park will be available.

This website will be Lionsrugby.co.za The Union will also have a section on the website where you will be free to criticize, complain and raise questions and concerns, and be addressed by the union.

Lets keep them on their toes!

As far as the signings are concerned. The Union has been burnt twice this season, Once with Frikkie Welch and the second was Trompie Ntsinga, who both showed definite intention to sign, only to sign for other unions. Until the Lions have a signed contract, no names will be released.