Standard Bank Arena

An indoor sporting arena located in Johannesburg, This is part of the Ellis Park sports complex (later enlarged and renamed the Coca Cola Park for the 2010 World Cup) South Africa.

The history

The concept of the Standard Bank Arena was initiated to mark the Centenary of Johannesburg and it first branch (in Commissioner street) in the City. It was designed by the same professional team which was incremental in building Ellis Park Stadium as well as other sporting stadia around the country.

The facility was officially opened in April 1986, the concept was to provide an indoor tennis stadium to host international events but the emphasis has changed and the Standard Bank Arena is now a sought after venue to host Music Concerts, Theater productions, Television productions, Choir festivals, Product launches, Conferencing, Exhibitions, Church gatherings and Sporting fixtures (Tennis, Boxing, Show Jumping, Karate, Squash, Indoor Hockey and Soccer)

Facilities

The Standard Bank Arena floor covers an area of 45 meters x 30 meters and the surface is the internationally recognized hard court surface protected by a carpet when used for other events. There are 4300 permanent seats which give all spectators an unobstructed view with optimum 200meter sightline criteria. In addition there are retractable seats on the east and west sides on the floor for an additional 850 spectators, chairs can also be placed on the floor up to a maximum of 1200 so the capacity of the Standard Bank Arena is in the region of 6300.

The Standard Bank Arena has a number of function rooms available should you wish to entertain while at an event. The VIP suite can accommodate 200 people in a cocktail environment with two bar facilities. The Donald Ross Room can accommodate 100 people in a cocktail environment while the Media centre can be used for private functions too and can accommodate 200 people. The Min Foyer can accommodate up to 1000 people for a cocktail function.

The Standard Bank Arena provides catering and ticketing facilitates. Lighting and sound are available for general use however; it is recommended that extra equipment is brought in to suit the type of event held.

The Arena can host a wide range of events and provide a facility comparable to other venues of its size worlwide. The floor area covers an area of 45 metres by 30 metres and the surface is the internationally recognised hard court surface protected by a carpet when used for other events. There are 4 300 permanent seats which give all spectators an unobstructed view with optimum 300 meter sightline criteria. In addition there are retractable seats on the east and west sides on the floor for an additional 850 spectators. Chairs can also be placed on the floor up to a maximum of 1 200 making the capacity of the Arena approximately 6 300. There is a covered walkway around the Arena which includes a theatre style foyer, a fully licensed bar facility and refreshment outlets and entertainment areas. The VIP suite can accommodate 200 people in a cocktail environment with two bar facilities. The Donald Ross Room can accommodate 100 people in a cocktail environment while the Media Centre can be used for private functions and can accommodate 200 people in a cocktail environment. The main foyer can accommodate up to 1 000 people for a cocktain functon.

The Standard Bank Arena as theatrical venue

Over the years has been used for a variety of large-scale theatrical events as well.

In 1988 PACT and Des and Dawn Lindberg staged King Africa there and in 1992 Geoffrey Sutherland, Andrew Botha and Graham Scott’s production of Queen at the Opera was staged there

Sources

Percy Tucker, 1997

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