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Ellis Park, stand Johannesburg, Gauteng George Esslemont Gordon LEITH: Architect

Date: c. 1927 Type: Stadium Status: Unknown

(SAB May 1933:46) ---------------- "Soon afterwards (June 1927) the TRFU commissioned a well-known Johannesburg architect, Gordon Leith, to plan and prepare two fields at Ellis Park." Transvaal Rugby Football Union Archive, meeting 16 February 1929: "The TRFU thus acknowledged the crucial role played by (Gordon) Leith. 'His acknowledged genius was stimulated to make his contribution to the game the fine and striking layout of Ellis Park which is now one of the just prides of civic Johannesburg." "Because of the evident growth, the TRFU budgeted for further expansion in the 1930s. Extensive additions to accommodate and control huge crowds of up to 55 000 who were keen to see international rugby, were in place by the end of the decade." "Further developments took place in the 1950s and 1970s when the rugby field and stadium were upgraded. On 6 August 1955 the stadium could accommodate a crowd of more or less 95 000." Source: Grundlingh, L. 2017. Historia 62, No 2. p. 38). ---------------- All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.