| Hara Arena | |
|---|---|
| Trotwood Dome | |
| HaraArena.JPG | |
| Location | 1001 Shiloh Springs Road Trotwood, Ohio 45415 |
| Coordinates | 39°49′16″N 84°15′22″W / 39.82111°N 84.25611°W |
| Opened | 1964 |
| Closed | August 27, 2016 |
| Owner | |
| Surface | Concrete/Ice |
| 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) |
| Capacity | 5,500 permanent seats 1,500 additional festival seats |
| Field dimensions | Ice surface: 195 x 84 ft (59 x 26 m) |
Hara Arena was a 5,500-seat multi-purpose arena located in the Dayton, Ohio suburb of Trotwood. 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]
At one time, 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 and 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, which still stands today in the six-building complex. 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.
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."[7] 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.[8]
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.[9]
On February 25, 2019, at least three individuals were arrested for breaking into the property in an attempt to steal air conditioning parts.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
Championship Teams at Hara[]
- 1968–69 Dayton Gems
- 1969–70 Dayton Gems
- 1975–76 Dayton Gems
- 2013–14 Dayton Demonz
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.[13]
Other events[]
Interior of the arena during the 2003 Hamvention.
The arena was also venue to many types of concerts, 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.[14]
Over a 60-year history, the facility hosted many musical performances from bands ranging from The Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead[4] to Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians.[15] The facility, in fact, hosted the first-ever U.S. performance of The Rolling Stones, which was attended by only 648.[2] Heavy metal band Pantera performed at the facility numerous times between the years of 1990–2001, and were officially named the house band of the venue in 1998.
Hara Arena was where Wayne Gretzky played his first professional hockey game;[16] a pre-season game between the Indianapolis Racers and the Cincinnati Stingers, on September 27, 1978.
The Arena was also home to many popular touring shows, such as Disney on Ice and Sesame Street on Ice.[17]
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]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "History". Archived from the original on 2016-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20160527192207/http://www.haracomplex.com/history. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Weissberg, Brad (August 10, 2016). "Last Hurrah For Hara Arena". https://www.venuesnow.com/last-hurrah-for-hara-arena/. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ↑ Bucher, Jim (January 9, 2017). "Visiting the worst of 2016". Xenia Daily Gazette. http://www.xeniagazette.com/opinion/14890/visiting-the-worst-of-2016. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Hara Arena to Close". WHIO. July 29, 2016. http://www.whio.com/news/business/hara-arena-to-close/nr66C/.
- ↑ Staff, WDTN (2016-07-29). "Hara Arena closing its doors after 60 years". http://wdtn.com/2016/07/29/hara-arena-to-shut-down/.
- ↑ Frolik, Cornelius (July 29, 2016). "Hara Arena closing forces Hamvention to find new home". WHIO. http://www.whio.com/news/business/hamvention-to-find-new-home-after-hara-arena-annou/nr7C2/.
- ↑ Schroeder, Kaitlin (March 21, 2018). "Nearly two years later: Debt, back taxes linger for Hara Arena property". WHIO. http://www.whio.com/news/nearly-two-years-later-debt-back-taxes-linger-for-hara-arena-property/MYlGPcgM22dMdrgpqkdV4K/. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ↑ "Hara Arena deterioration shown in new video". WHIO-TV. April 4, 2018. http://www.whio.com/news/hara-arena-deterioration-shown-new-video/8RVqPezUAk9UNGRHf6yFpI/. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ↑ Gnau, Thomas (May 2, 2018). "BREAKING: Developer says he has purchased Hara Arena". WHIO-TV. https://www.whio.com/business/breaking-hara-arena-has-new-owner/NOoQkSRgn2Eb79bzllelZP/. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ↑ "Thieves break into Hara Arena, attempt to steal air conditioning parts". WDTN. February 25, 2019. https://www.wdtn.com/news/local-news/thieves-break-into-hara-arena-to-steal-air-conditioning-parts/1809048849. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- ↑ Cano, Kelsey (May 28, 2019). "State of Emergency issued for Trotwood; Hara Arena roof blown off, schools closed after tornadoes". WHIO-TV. https://www.whio.com/news/local/hara-arena-roof-blown-off-trotwood-schools-closed-after-tornadoes/5W7NpDohYwDBNwu9fp59bK/. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ↑ Gnau, Thomas (May 29, 2019). "Hara owner is hopeful arena can be saved for future buyer". WHIO-TV. https://www.whio.com/business/hara-owner-hopeful-arena-can-saved-for-future-buyer/WYD0vSqrazcXmsMJqcYzlL/. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ↑ Greer, Jamie (May 28, 2019). "Ohio’s Legendary Hara Arena Destroyed by Tornado". Last Word on Pro Wrestling. https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2019/05/28/hara-arena/. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ↑ "Good-Bye, Hara Arena! Hamvention to Relocate in 2017!". July 29, 2016. http://www.arrl.org/news/good-bye-hara-arena-hamvention-to-relocate-in-2017.
- ↑ "Guy Lombardo – October, 1976 Itinerary". http://www.guylombardomusic.com/lombardoitinerary76.jpg.
- ↑ Becky Grimes (2009-09-30). "Hockey Returns To Hara Arena". WHIO TV. http://www.whiotv.com/sports/21159562/detail.html?loc=interstitialskip. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
- ↑ Hauser, Christian (July 29, 2016). "Hara Arena set to close doors in August". WRGT-TV. http://fox45now.com/news/local/hara-arena-set-to-close-doors-in-august. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
External links[]
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by None |
Home of the Dayton Bombers 1991 – 1996 |
Succeeded by Ervin J. Nutter Center |
| 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 |