September 2, 2003
By Bontle Moeng and Tammy O'Reilly
SITUATED within one block in the inner city of Johannesburg are three international standard sports complexes, with soccer fields, an Olympic sized swimming pool, a specially prepared athletics track, tennis courts and a Rugby World Cup venue.
Surrounded by high-rise buildings and road overpasses, the three facilities - the Johannesburg Athletics Stadium, Ellis Park, and the Standard Bank Arena - are within walking distance of one another, and central to all the residents of Johannesburg to attend international and local events.
The sports precinct is situated in New Doornfontein, on the eastern side of the Johannesburg Central Business District.
"We have the best sport facilities in the City of Johannesburg," says a justifiably proud Junior Ramovha, Regional Manager for Sports and Recreation.
Standing out among the oval-shaped venues is Ellis Park Stadium, a venue that boasts a capacity of 80 000. This well-known stadium, home to soccer giants Kaizer Chiefs and the Gauteng Lions rugby team, has played host to the likes of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final and a number of international concerts.
The 20-year-old stadium underwent some reconstruction after soccer fans were crushed to death during a soccer match between South Africa's foremost teams in April 2001. Since then the main tunnel has been redesigned to allow easier access for emergency vehicles.
A short walk across North Park Lane and down Dora Street is the Johannesburg Stadium, home of South Africa's other footballing greats, Orlando Pirates. The soccer team shares their venue with a range of other athletes. Although the stadium is somewhat smaller than that of the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium, with seating for a maximum of 37 500 people, this hasn't prevented it from hosting international artists and sporting events. If seating is not required the Johannesburg Stadium can host 65 000 people.
Apart from the standard track and field facilities, the stadium also has a range of other amenities, including a gym and changing rooms. For those who don't want to get too sweaty, there's always chess, pool tables and darts.
Johannesburg Stadium, built by the City Council in 1992, "is a state-of-the-art high-tech, multipurpose facility".
It boasts a large television screen on the eastern side, with South African and Johannesburg flags decorating the top of the stadium. The television screen allows crowds to catch all the action, including repeats of highlights. For concerts, the audience is able to get a clear view the performance, even at a distance.
There are two main tunnels that lead into the stadium, with each being able to accommodate any emergency vehicle.
"Since May 2002, the management of both the Johannesburg Stadium and the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium has been run by the Ellis Park team," Ramovha said. In this way, safety and security systems for all the venues would be uniform. "A lot of work has been done in the wake of the Ellis Park disaster - more networking and organisation," added Ramovha.
Across the road from the Ellis Park Rugby Stadium, on North Park Lane, is the City's premier swimming and diving pool. Here local swimmers and divers train all year round in the Olympic-size heated pool. A number of swimming galas take place at the Ellis Park pool, and "some of the country's best swimmers still train here", said Ramovha.
"Although the pool is already of Olympic standard," Ramovha added, "we are constantly upgrading and improving the facilities."
There are plans to enclose the pool, Ramovha said. Owned and managed by the City Council, the Ellis Park pool has changing rooms and a food kiosk. While there are plenty of seats around the pool, parking can be a problem, with spectators having to use the bays at the nearby stadium.
Down Bertrams Road, towards Troyeville, is the Standard Bank Arena, a popular venue for a multitude of events, from sports to entertainment. Besides the huge arena, the Standard Bank Arena has a number of tennis courts, where international and provincial matches are played regularly.
A lot of effort has also gone into making sure these venues are accessible to the nearby residents. "We have projects in place to train children from disadvantaged communities," said Ramovha, such as the training sessions run by champion boxer Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for people from the local community
