When the first visitors arrived more than 90 minutes early to the Brisbane Lions' Community Day at Springwood's old Ikea site, the Club knew things were brewing for a highly successful Saturday event.
By the official starting time of 10:30am, the Club was swamped for the next two hours by an estimated total of almost 2,500 people seeking Lions 'idols' and information.
New Lions Senior Coach Michael Voss, Co-Captain Jonathan Brown and ruckman Jamie Charman were kept busy with stage interviews, autographs and photos alongside the Club's three AFL premiership cups. But more importantly, all visitors were able to get the facts on the proposed Lions Den Social Club for Springwood then discuss their feedback to the plans firsthand.
Ten display stations were arranged around the main building featuring detailed floor-plans of the proposed venue with an artist's impression of the site's exterior and a dot-point list of the main elements and services envisaged for the facility should it receive the green light.
Lions Chief Executive Michael Bowers was kept busy answering queries and receiving extremely positive comments from visitors. Not only did they appreciate the Lions staging the event, but many were pleased about the prospect of being able to park their car and enjoy a good meal and live entertainment at a modern venue, before being shuttle bused to and from the Gabba on match-days.
Within the space of two hours, the Lions had distributed: 1,240 free Lions showbags; 1,100 free sausages at the BBQ; 950 free Lions balloons; hundreds of free mini-radio headsets at the handballing targets; and raised a total of $2,567 for the Logan East Community Centre with the Club and landlord matching all proceeds from the gold coin donations and drinks sales dollar for dollar.
Visitors from as far north as Noosa and as far south as the Gold Coast arrived with their families to enjoy the free entertainment which spanned merchandise competitions, Club mascot Bernie 'Gabba' Vegas, a jumping castle, free face painting and the opportunity to send Hero Mail to their favourite Lions players.
People can still supply their comments to the Brisbane Lions about the proposed Springwood Lions Den Social Club by emailing them directly at lions-in-logan@lions.com.au
The Club would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the Community Day and appreciates their overwhelmingly positive feedback and support.
