Hara Arena

Hara Arena
Trotwood Dome
Location 1001 Shiloh Springs Road
Trotwood, Ohio 45415
Coordinates 39°49′16″N 84°15′22″W / 39.82111°N 84.25611°W / 39.82111; -84.25611
Capacity 5,500 permanent seats
1,500 additional festival seats
Field size Ice surface: 195 x 84 ft (59 x 26 m)
Surface Concrete/Ice
Opened 1964
Closed August 27, 2016
Tenants
Dayton Gems (IHL) (1964–1977, 1979–1980)
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 is 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 was set to close 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, 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] 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.

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.[2][3] The closure forced events, like the annual Dayton Hamvention, to search for an alternative venue.[4] It also forced the Dayton Demolition ice hockey team to cease operations after only one season.

Championship Teams at Hara

Professional wrestling

Hara was the scene every other Monday night in the 60's & 70's for the "Original" Big Time Wrestling, featuring such stars as the Sheik, Bobo Brazil, Fred & Bull Curry, Igor, Mark Lewin, Ox Baker, and many other wrestling stars. The ring announcer for most of the events was Les Pomervlle. Hara also hosted Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1983 & 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.

Other events

Interior of the arena during the 2003 Hamvention.

The arena is also venue to many types of concerts, music festivals, trade shows and conventions, including the annual Dayton Hamvention. 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.[5]

Over a 60 year history, the facility hosted many musical performances from bands ranging from the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead[2] to Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians.[6]

Hara arena was where Wayne Gretzky played his first professional hockey game;[7] a pre-season game between the Indianapolis Racers and the Cincinnati Stingers, on September 27, 1978.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History". HaraComplex.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-27. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Hara Arena to Close". WHIO. July 29, 2016.
  3. ↑ Staff, WDTN (2016-07-29). "Hara Arena closing its doors after 60 years". WDTN. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  4. ↑ Frolik, Cornelius (July 29, 2016). "Hara Arena closing forces Hamvention to find new home". WHIO.
  5. ↑ "Good-Bye, Hara Arena! Hamvention to Relocate in 2017!". ARRL. July 29, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Guy Lombardo – October, 1976 Itinerary".
  7. ↑ Becky Grimes (2009-09-30). "Hockey Returns To Hara Arena". WHIO TV. Retrieved 2010-01-08.

External links

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