Whilst this is great news, as Claire Blakemore of security specialist, Mul-T-Lock explains, the world in which the sporting industry now finds itself has changed, with the pandemic dramatically affecting consumer behaviour. Some behavioural changes in motion before the outbreak have accelerated; others have slowed or stopped. New habits and expectations have arisen.
One critical feature that must not be overlooked is the essence of fans feeling safe and secure as they return to their venues and support their beloved sports and teams. For this to occur, venues need to improve their operational ability and focus to navigate the move to the new normality. To respond, recover and thrive.
Setting the scene
For sports leagues, like many industries, the COVID-19 crisis upended our daily lives at dizzying speed. In many ways, when live professional sports were put on hold, a major aspect of life changed so quickly and comprehensively that it shocked many into seeing the scope of the pandemic problem.
But for sports venues, just because fans were staying away doesn’t mean that these spaces were, or could be, entirely empty.
Many employees — particularly security personnel, identified early on in the crisis as key workers — were still showing up to work on a daily basis. Through the pandemic, as the legislation changed to hold sporting events, initially without anyone in the stands, to completely reopening, securing the facilities has required managing occupancy with great care.
How will they direct the flow of fans into, out of, and through the stadium? How will they maintain safe space between fans, staff, and potentially even players? How will concessions staffing and service need to change?
This is for the safety of future visitors and fans, but also for the safety and security of venue teams, players and staff.
Welcoming back visitors
With a clear, ‘pent-up’ demand for sporting events, a core element of the immediate strategy, has been to engage with fans to attract them back to venues.
Existing operations and commercial models for sports venues are founded on the spectator experience drawing crowds to venues consistently.
Again, many questions have arisen from the situation. How do you simultaneously manage fan expectations, minimise operational disruption, and plan for a future that, in both the short and long term, may not look anything like the past?
Winning at Headingley Stadium
One example of a sports venue that has been working behind the scenes for the benefit of its visitors and all its guests, including spectators and across its hospitality facilities, is Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
Headingley Stadium is a double-faced sports stadium that works seamlessly for both Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the rugby league club, Leeds Rhinos.
The unique concept of the jointly owned stand is undergoing a significant £50 million investment programme over a twenty-year period, involving architects and designers coordinating with different needs and security aspects.
The specification for Headingley Stadium, especially for hospitality areas was exceptionally high. Architectural requirements had to be considered and integrated with increased levels of security and access control for corporate and players’ entrances.
This collaborative approach involved EM-B, part of the MB Group and Mul-T-Lock demonstrating how security, when planned early in the specification process can be designed to seamlessly blend with its surroundings and operate to its full potential in line with requirements for security and safety.
To support Headingley Stadium, EM-B recommended Mul-T-Lock’s MTL500 profile, with over 250 cylinders installed on a master key suite. This provides high-security protection and flexibility to accommodate the different access control requirements across the stadium complex.
Combined together, the MTL500 master key system makes it easy for Security Managers at Headingley Stadium to operate as only one patent protected key is needed for all relevant doors. And there is a specific ability to control exactly who has access to which areas, differentiating betweenstaff, team players and guests.
Mul-T-Lock’s MTL500 is the first cylinder in the UK to be supported by a unique key authorisation magnetic strip card. This card must be presented to a registered MTL500 locksmith before any additional keys can be supplied to ensure tight control of key duplication.
MTL500 also possesses a double locking mechanism that provides enhanced protection and is easily incorporated into large, complex, hierarchical systems, which are typically evident in stadiums and other larger venues.
Due to the diverse requirements on a project like Headingley Stadium, MTL500 guaranteed optimum security and accessibility across all facets of the grounds. The system also meets all international standards and offers enhanced resistance to varying forms of cylinder attack.
Designed for Headingley Stadium on a master key system, ensuring maximum key control across the site, the choice of MTL500 could accommodate the wide range of cylinder and padlock types and sizes. It is also flexible, as there are numerous keying operations, with the 3-in-1 keying system allowing a lock combination to be changed twice.
“ The specification for Headingley Stadium, especially for the hospitality areas was exceptionally high. And this all had to be considered with top levels of security and access control for corporate and players’ entrances.
“Mul-T-Lock worked with EM-B Locks to deliver the tailor-made solution that could accommodate the different access requirements, all without compromising on aesthetics or security. All ultimately operating off the high protection MTL500 master key system to offer the highest level of patent protection throughout the dual stadium premises.”
Lee Mitchell Mul-T-Lock Regional Sales Manager - North East and Scotland
Customer feedback
Rob Oates, Commercial Director at Headingley Stadium: “We have, and continue to invest a significant amount to ensure Headingley Stadium meets the strict criteria for both test cricket and Super League rugby. We need to ensure every level of detail is commissioned to be as secure as possible both now and, in the future, without compromising on aesthetics and finishing styles.
“MB-Locks, together with Mul-T-Lock, demonstrated the advantages of MTL500, and I was especially impressed with the flexibility of the master key system and its ability to incorporate all of our key access requirements. MTL500 master key suite isnow installed in the stadium’s hospitality areas and stands, with minimum disruption to the dual ground operations.”
Philip Goldberg, Managing Director of MB Locks added: “ The Headingley Stadium is a unique challenge, as both the Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club and Yorkshire County Cricket Club have very different needs and requirements for the project in terms of security, accessibility and aesthetics. We worked on both sides of the stand including boxes, changing rooms, hospitality areas and concourses; a complex brief.
“The benefit of working with Mul-T-Lock is our long-standing relationship, meaning that the specification could be quickly translated with the technical and sales team to design a master key suite, using MTL500 as a protective opportunity to meet the requirements. It can provide the ultimate in security, but also it offers a high-quality access control system with a huge number of useable combinations.”
Summary & conclusion
What this example shows is the specification for Headingley Stadium, especially for the hospitality areas was exceptional high. And this all had to be considered with top levels of security and access control for corporate and players’ entrances.
Mul-T-Lock worked with EM-B Locks to deliver the tailor-made solution that could accommodate the different access requirements, all without compromising on aesthetics or security. And all ultimately operating off the high protection MTL500 master key system to offer the highest level of patent protection throughout the dual stadium premises.
It also delivers on a futureproof venue that has led the way to welcoming back guests to enjoy their sports in a safe and secure environment.
In summary, it’s fair to say that professional sports have always offered a point of community and connection for so many. So as we look to “complete the transition back towards normality” there is a signal to fans and players alike that we have beaten the pandemic.
We held out hope for the day when teams could once again take to the field and be supported by their loyal fans. Now it has come around, whilst it may not be as it used to be with extra safety measures in place, careful consideration early in the specification process of security, will ensure the business of sports can once again become a joyful experience.
