Hara Arena

Last updated
Hara Arena
Trotwood Dome
HaraArena.JPG
Hara Arena
Location1001 Shiloh Springs Road
Trotwood, Ohio 45415
Coordinates 39°49′16″N84°15′22″W / 39.82111°N 84.25611°W / 39.82111; -84.25611
Capacity 5,500 permanent seats
1,500 additional festival seats
Field sizeIce surface: 195 × 84 ft (59 × 26 m)
SurfaceConcrete/Ice
Construction
Opened1964
ClosedAugust 27, 2016
DemolishedSeptember 25, 2020 - February 12, 2021
Tenants
Dayton Gems (IHL) (1964–1977, 1979–1980)
Dayton Owls (IHL) (1977)
Dayton Jets (CnHL/AAHL) (1985–1987)
Dayton Dynamo (AISA) (1988–1990)
Dayton Bombers (ECHL) (1991–1996)
Dayton Ice Bandits (CoHL) (1996–1997)
Dayton Sky Hawks (IFL) (1999–2000)
Dayton Jets (IBL) (2005)
The Marshals (NIFL) (2007)
Dayton Gems (IHL/CHL) (2009–2012)
Dayton Silverbacks (CIFL) (2011–2012)
Dayton Demonz (FHL) (2012–2015)
Gem City Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2012–2014)
Dayton Sharks (CIFL) (2013–2014)
Dayton Demolition (FHL) (2015–2016)
Website
www.haracomplex.com

Hara Arena was a 5,500-seat multi-purpose arena located in the Trotwood, Ohio suburb of Dayton. The facility began as a ballroom in 1956, added an arena in 1964 and grew to a six-building complex which closed in August 2016. [1]

Contents

At various times, it hosted the Dayton Jets basketball team and Dayton Gems (1964–1977, 1979–1980 and 2009–2012), Dayton Blue Hawks, Dayton Owls, Dayton Bombers, Dayton Ice Bandits, Dayton Demonz, Megacity Hockey Club, Dayton Dynamo, Dayton Demolition ice hockey teams and the Marshals indoor football team.

History

The site was originally the family-owned fruit orchard of Harold and Ralph Wampler. The name stems from HA from Harold and RA from Ralph. In 1956, the Wampler Ballroom was erected, the arena itself opened in 1964. [1] Both of the arena's founders were Shriners, and originally founded the venue after realizing that there was nowhere suitable in the area to hold the Shrine Circus. [2] The original plans did not include an ice rink, but were changed to accommodate the Dayton Gems who were looking for a home arena. As of 2016, the complex spanned 165,000 square feet (15,300 m2) which includes the main arena, four exhibition halls, a conference center, a pub and a golf course. The Arena regularly used the slogan in advertising "Nowhere Else But Hara." [3]

On July 29, 2016, it was announced that the facility would close after hosting a final event August 27, 2016, due to ongoing financial issues and a 20-year long legal fight over the unresolved estate of founder Harold Wampler. At the time of the closure announcement, the facility was said to have a $36 million annual impact to the area. [4] [5] The closure forced events, like the annual Dayton Hamvention, to search for an alternative venue. [6] It also forced the Dayton Demolition ice hockey team to cease operations after only one season. Prior to its closure, the Arena was said to have had a parking lot filled with potholes and not received any significant update since 1975. [7]

As of March 2018, the property had been abandoned for over a year and a half, at times vandalized and broken into. In December 2017, PNC Bank foreclosed on the property, seeking to collect on $350,000 owed to the bank. It was reported that many had called Trotwood's government with ideas for the property, which had a list price of $775,000, but anyone seeking to acquire the property would need a "specific plan for the complicated situation of 'well over $1 million' in taxes that are due, and the multiple parcels of land and arena." [8] In April 2018, YouTube video from a self-described "local explorer" illicitly entering the arena showed disrepair and deteriorating conditions. The city of Trotwood had made attempts to secure the property, but with limited success, and it was reported to have hundreds of code violations. [9]

On May 2, 2018, it was revealed that the property was purchased by Michael Heitz, a developer based in Louisville, Kentucky. Heitz stated that he had bought the income tax liens from Montgomery County and hoped to close on further liens with the banks later in the week. Heitz stated that his first priority was to clean up the site and secure the property. He is known for purchasing other distressed properties within the area and getting them shovel ready for users. [10]

On February 25, 2019, at least three individuals were arrested for breaking into the property in an attempt to steal air conditioning parts. [11]

On the night of May 27–28, 2019, the property suffered extensive damage when tornadoes and severe storms moved through the area. The roof and sides of the structure were blown off in several places. [12] In response, Heitz stated that he was cautiously optimistic that the building could be salvaged, but if not, it would have to be demolished. He noted that much of the main arena looked fine and that the metal which had been lost could be replaced and likely needed to be replaced anyway. He also stated that he had recently secured a grant to conduct a phase 2 environmental study of the site, with the possibility of selling the building to another buyer, which would bring new jobs to the area. [13]

Hara Arena, 12-31-2019, badly damaged by an EF4 tornado and tagged with graffiti Hara Arena 12-31-2019.jpg
Hara Arena, 12-31-2019, badly damaged by an EF4 tornado and tagged with graffiti

In October 2019, it was reported the existing facility would not be able to be salvaged due to the already existing damage having been compounded by the tornado. The owners planned to request rezoning from entertainment to commercial in order to attract interest that would aid the facility's cleanup and redevelopment. It was estimated that the facility suffered $7.5 million in damages, the most for any property in the Montgomery County area. [14]

In March 2020, it was announced the property had been rezoned and that demolition was likely to start soon. However, it was unclear how any such plans might be affected by the increased restrictions and financial difficulties put in place shortly afterwards due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [15]

In May 2020, Heitz revealed that a multi-million dollar NASDAQ corporation was interested in the plot and could bring at least 50 new jobs to the area. He and the client planned to present a plan for construction to Trotwood in late July, with demolition to start immediately if the plan was approved. [16]

In September 2020, Trotwood officially announced plans to demolish the arena and rezone the land. [17]

In November 2020, it was announced that the lettering from the arena's iconic sign as well as bricks from the arena would be auctioned for charity. Heitz said that his company had hoped to salvage seating from the building, but was unable due to mold damage from the tornado. [18]

Championship Teams at Hara

Professional wrestling

Hara was the scene every other Monday night in the 1960s and 1970s for the "Original" Big Time Wrestling, featuring such stars as the Sheik, Bobo Brazil, Fred and Bull Curry, Igor, Mark Lewin, Ox Baker, and many other wrestling stars. Hara also hosted Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1983 and 1984. It also hosted a WWF Superstars of Wrestling TV taping in March, 1987, a WWF Wrestling Challenge taping in August, 1988, and the Pay-Per-View events as follows: the 1995 WCW Great American Bash, WCW/NWO Souled Out (1998), and ECW Heatwave 1998 and ECW Heatwave 1999.[ citation needed ] Hara Arena was known as being "legendary" for wrestling, with the WWF's first show at the Arena featuring the famed André the Giant. The Sheik held his first event at Hara Arena in 1965, just one year after its opening. [20]

Notable events

Interior of the arena during the 2003 Hamvention. DaytonHamvention2003.jpg
Interior of the arena during the 2003 Hamvention.

The arena was also venue to many types of concerts, including Nirvana who played there on the 30th October 1993, music festivals, trade shows and conventions, formerly including the annual Dayton Hamvention (which, starting in 2017, is held at the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center). The Miami Valley Home Improvement Show was also held annually here. [1] According to the American Radio Relay League, the 2016 Hamvention had been the 65th held in Dayton and the Hara complex hosted more than 25,000 visitors in that final year. [21] Hara Arena was where Wayne Gretzky played his first professional hockey game; [22] a pre-season game between the Indianapolis Racers and the Cincinnati Stingers, on September 27, 1978.

Karen Wampler, arena marketing director at the time of its closure, cited a visit from the Ringling Bros. Circus as being particularly memorable, due to it to being the last stop on the tour for the circus. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

Dayton is the sixth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County. A small part of the city extends into Greene County. The 2020 U.S. census estimate put the city population at 137,644, while Greater Dayton was estimated to be at 814,049 residents. The Combined Statistical Area (CSA) was 1,086,512. This makes Dayton the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Ohio and 73rd in the United States. Dayton is within Ohio's Miami Valley region, 50 miles (80 km) north of the Greater Cincinnati area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trotwood, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

Trotwood is a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States and is a suburb of Dayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKEF</span> ABC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio

WKEF is a television station in Dayton, Ohio, United States, affiliated with ABC, Fox, and MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, which provides certain services to Dabl affiliate WRGT-TV under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Cunningham Broadcasting. However, Sinclair effectively owns WRGT-TV as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. Both stations share studios on Corporate Place in Miamisburg, while WKEF's transmitter is located off South Gettysburg Avenue in southwest Dayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDTN</span> NBC affiliate in Dayton, Ohio

WDTN is a television station in Dayton, Ohio, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which provides certain services to Springfield, Ohio–licensed WBDT, a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW, under a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Vaughan Media. The two stations share studios on South Dixie Drive in Moraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Gems</span> Former professional minor-league ice hockey team in Dayton, Ohio, United States

The Dayton Gems were a minor league ice hockey team based in Dayton, Ohio, and members of the International Hockey League from 1964 to 1977, and 1979–1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salem Mall</span> Former shopping mall in Trotwood, Ohio

Salem Mall was a shopping mall in Trotwood, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio, United States. It was built in 1966 by The Rouse Company and originally featured Rike's and Sears as its main anchor stores. Expansion in 1981 added a new wing of stores and JCPenney, while further renovations in that same decade included a food court. Rike's was later dual-branded as Shillito-Rike's and then renamed to Lazarus The mall began to lose stores throughout the 1990s, including both Lazarus and JCPenney, the former of which was torn down for The Home Depot. After an extended period of decline, the mall closed in 2005 and was demolished in 2006. Sears, which was excluded from the demolition, remained operational until it closed in 2013. In 2022, it was announced that a large portion of the mall would become the new site of The Funk Music Hall of Fame and Exhibition Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHIO-TV</span> CBS affiliate in Dayton, Ohio

WHIO-TV is a television station in Dayton, Ohio, United States, affiliated with CBS. It has been owned by Cox Media Group since its inception, making it one of two stations that have been built and signed on by Cox. WHIO-TV's transmitter is located off Germantown Street in the Highview Hills neighborhood of southwest Dayton. It shares facilities with sister properties the Dayton Daily News and Cox's Miami Valley radio stations in the Cox Media Center building on South Main Street near downtown Dayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBDT</span> CW TV station in Springfield, Ohio

WBDT is a television station licensed to Springfield, Ohio, United States, serving the Dayton area as a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW. It is owned by Vaughan Media, which maintains a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Nexstar Media Group, owner of NBC affiliate WDTN and majority owner of The CW, for the provision of certain services. The two stations share studios on South Dixie Drive in Moraine. Through a channel sharing agreement, WBDT, along with Richmond, Indiana–licensed Ion Television O&O WKOI-TV, share WDTN's digital channel from WDTN's transmitter facility on Frytown Road in southwest Dayton.

WKOI-TV is a television station licensed to Richmond, Indiana, United States, broadcasting the Ion Television network to the Dayton, Ohio area. The station is owned and operated by the Ion Media subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. Transmission facilities are provided by unrelated NBC affiliate WDTN, which shares its digital channel with WKOI-TV through a channel sharing agreement, along with WDTN's sister station, Springfield, Ohio–licensed CW affiliate WBDT ; the transmitter is located on Frytown Road in southwest Dayton. For the purposes of its FCC correspondence, WKOI's official 'studio' facility is located at Scripps Center in downtown Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Greene Town Center</span> Shopping mall in Beavercreek, Ohio

The Greene Town Center is a mixed-use development located in Beavercreek, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHIO (AM)</span> News/talk radio station in Dayton, Ohio, United States

WHIO – branded AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO – is a commercial talk AM radio station licensed to serve Dayton, Ohio and covering the Dayton metropolitan area. Owned by Cox Media Group, the WHIO studios are located at the Cox Media Center building in Dayton, while the transmitter is located in nearby Kettering. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WHIO is simulcast full-time on WHIO-FM (95.7) and is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratacache Tower</span> High-rise office building located in Dayton, Ohio

Stratacache Tower, also known as Kettering Tower, is a high-rise office building located in Dayton, Ohio. The Stratacache Tower was built in 1970 and is currently the tallest building in the city. Lorenz Williams Inc. was the firm responsible for construction of the building. Stratacache Tower has 30 floors and is 124 meters or 405 feet tall. The Stratacache Tower has its own zip code: 45423.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Hamvention</span> Amateur radio convention

The Dayton Hamvention is one of the two largest amateur radio convention in the world. It is held each May in the Dayton, Ohio area and draws attendees from various parts of the world. Since 2017, it has been held at the Greene County Fairgrounds in Xenia, Ohio near Dayton. Prior to this it was held each May at the Hara Arena in Trotwood, Ohio.

Triangle Park is a former American football stadium located in Dayton, Ohio. The stadium was home to the Dayton Triangles of the National Football League from 1920 to 1929. It held a capacity of 5,000 spectators. It was located at the confluence of the Great Miami River and Stillwater River. On October 3, 1920, it hosted the first NFL game against the Columbus Panhandles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Gems (2009–2012)</span> Ice hockey team in Dayton, Ohio

The Dayton Gems were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Dayton, Ohio, in the Central Hockey League. The team was originally a member of the International Hockey League before it merged into the CHL in 2010. The team played their home games at the Hara Arena in nearby Trotwood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal Prospects Hockey League</span> American ice hockey league

The Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) is a professional ice hockey independent minor league with teams in the Midwestern, Southern, and Northeastern United States. The FPHL began operations in November 2010 as the Federal Hockey League. Don Kirnan is the league's commissioner. The league also occasionally branded itself as the Federal Professional Hockey League from 2015 to 2018 until it began using the name Federal Prospects Hockey League and completing the rebrand in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Demonz</span> Ice hockey team in Dayton, Ohio

The Dayton Demonz were a professional ice hockey team based in Dayton, Ohio, in the Federal Hockey League. After the Dayton Gems of the Central Hockey League ceased operations, the Demonz were created as an expansion team in the FHL. The team played their home games at the Hara Arena in nearby Trotwood. The team was originally known as the Dayton Devils before changing names prior to their inaugural season. The Demonz were an affiliate of the ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets.

The 2015–16 Federal Hockey League season is the sixth season of the Federal Hockey League. The regular season lasted from November 6, 2015 to April 3, 2016. The Port Huron Prowlers would win the league championship by sweeping the Danbury Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dayton Demolition</span> Ice hockey team in Dayton, Ohio

The Dayton Demolition was a minor league professional ice hockey team in the Federal Hockey League based in Dayton, Ohio and played their home games at Hara Arena. The team was known as the Berkshire Battalion in North Adams, Massachusetts before it relocated to Dayton in July 2015 to replace the defunct Dayton Demonz after failing to come to an arena agreement.

The 2016–17 Federal Hockey League season is the seventh season of the Federal Hockey League. The regular season ran from October 28, 2016 to April 2, 2017, with an unbalanced 56-game schedule between the seven teams. The Danville Dashers won their first Commissioner's Cup.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History". HaraComplex.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-27. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Weissberg, Brad (August 10, 2016). "Last Hurrah For Hara Arena" . Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  3. Bucher, Jim (January 9, 2017). "Visiting the worst of 2016". Xenia Daily Gazette . Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  4. "Hara Arena to Close". WHIO. July 29, 2016.
  5. "Hara Arena closing its doors after 60 years". WDTN. 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  6. Frolik, Cornelius (July 29, 2016). "Hara Arena closing forces Hamvention to find new home". WHIO.
  7. jessicagraue, "Laugh Riot Girl" (August 3, 2016). "Nowhere else but Hara". Dayton Daily News. Archived from the original on December 31, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  8. Schroeder, Kaitlin (March 21, 2018). "Nearly two years later: Debt, back taxes linger for Hara Arena property". WHIO. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  9. "Hara Arena deterioration shown in new video". WHIO-TV. April 4, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  10. Gnau, Thomas (May 2, 2018). "BREAKING: Developer says he has purchased Hara Arena". WHIO-TV. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  11. "Thieves break into Hara Arena, attempt to steal air conditioning parts". WDTN. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  12. Cano, Kelsey (May 28, 2019). "State of Emergency issued for Trotwood; Hara Arena roof blown off, schools closed after tornadoes". WHIO-TV. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  13. Gnau, Thomas (May 29, 2019). "Hara owner is hopeful arena can be saved for future buyer". WHIO-TV. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
  14. Sweigart, Josh (October 17, 2019). "Hara Arena owners request rezoning to help with redevelopment efforts for tornado damaged property". Dayton Daily News. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  15. Gnau, Thomas (March 9, 2020). "Demolition of most of Hara Arena will start soon". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  16. "Multi-million dollar company interested in redeveloping Hara Arena". WHIO-TV. May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  17. "Trotwood announces plans to demolish Hara Arena". WHIO-TV. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  18. "Owner of Hara Arena auctioning off sign, proceeds to benefit Trotwood community". WDTN. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  19. "Dayton Gems hockey team [1964-1977 IHL] statistics and history at hockeydb.com".
  20. Greer, Jamie (May 28, 2019). "Ohio's Legendary Hara Arena Destroyed by Tornado". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  21. "Good-Bye, Hara Arena! Hamvention to Relocate in 2017!". ARRL. July 29, 2016.
  22. Becky Grimes (2009-09-30). "Hockey Returns To Hara Arena". WHIO TV. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
None
Home of the Dayton Bombers
1991–1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by
None
None
None
Home of the Dayton Gems
1964–1977
1979–1980
2009–2012
Succeeded by
None
None
None
Preceded by
Biltmore Hotel
Host of the Dayton Hamvention
1964–2016
Succeeded by
Greene County Fairgrounds