Information
Landmark: Hobart ArenaCity: Troy
Country: USA Ohio
Continent: North America
Hobart Arena, Troy, USA Ohio, North America
Overview
In Troy, Ohio, Hobart Arena stands as a landmark with rich history and a design flexible enough to host everything from concerts to ice shows.Since opening its doors in 1950, the arena has been Miami County’s go‑to spot for concerts, ballgames, and community gatherings, from roaring basketball matches to holiday parades.It’s stood the test of time, shaped by its founders’ vision and by Troy’s changing appetite for recreation and culture-like summer concerts drifting through the park at dusk.The idea for Hobart Arena took shape in 1946, sparked by brothers William H., their plans unfolding like chalk marks on a fresh blueprint.…and Edward A., his name spoken like a quick tap of a pen on the desk.Hobart pitched a big recreational project for Troy, envisioning ball fields and walking paths where the wind carries the scent of fresh-cut grass.They planned three big features: a winter sports arena with crisp air and bright lights, a football stadium, and a golf course.The Hobart family stepped in to fund the arena, pledging their support through the Charles C., a gift they announced with a firm handshake.The Hobart Foundation will move forward only if the community signs off on a bond to pay for the other two facilities, a decision that could hinge on a crowded town hall next month.In 1947, Troy’s residents voted to approve a $450,000 bond, the kind that could build a new brick schoolhouse.The golf course swung its gates open in April, and by the time leaves began to turn, the football stadium stood finished.Work on Hobart Arena began soon after and wrapped up just in time for its grand opening on September 6, 1950, celebrated with ten sold-out “Holiday on Ice” shows, the sound of skates slicing across the ice echoing through the packed stands.Its design offered a versatile layout that balanced practical needs with the comfort of every spectator.Built in the years after World War II, it still boasted features that felt decades ahead, like sleek glass panels catching the morning light.The main floor measures 85 feet wide and 185 feet long, covering 15,785 square feet-about the size of a basketball court stretched end to end.It’s the perfect size for sporting events, exhibitions, or trade shows-plenty of room for a row of booths or a stretch of bleachers.The arena holds 3,782 fixed seats, plus space for as many as 1,500 more on the floor when the event calls for it-picture rows of folding chairs stretching to the edge of the stage.Stage: You can set up a SICO stage that stretches 40 by 60 feet and rises four feet high-about the height of a kitchen counter.Ninety-two LED lights flood the arena floor, while twenty more brighten the seating area, casting a crisp, even glow across the space.The sound system’s been upgraded, built to handle the punch of a live concert and the clarity needed for a dramatic stage performance.Amenities include five full-service concession stands, each buzzing with the smell of fresh popcorn.There are four dressing rooms and a pair of referee rooms, each with a faint smell of fresh paint.A production office set aside for performers and crew, with the hum of equipment filling the air.Seating areas designed to meet ADA standards, with entrances you can reach without steps or tight turns.Room for about 800 cars, enough to fill a lot the size of a football field.Over the years, Hobart Arena has twice been overhauled, adding fresh seating and updated sound to meet the demands of today’s crowds.In 1997, crews tackled routine repairs and spruced up the place, adding upgrades to keep things running smoothly.Better seating and tastier concessions, like fresh popcorn that’s still warm in your hands.Between 2016 and 2017, a $9.6 million renovation transformed the arena, overhauling its infrastructure and boosting the visitor experience.Lobbies and concourses were widened, so crowds could flow easily and friends could linger without feeling packed in.The new Bravo Room is a versatile space that works for conferences, receptions, or private gatherings, with room for everything from a crisp white tablecloth dinner to a lively networking mixer.With upgraded concessions and restrooms, guests get faster service and a more comfortable break-even when the crowd’s buzzing at full capacity.Behind the scenes, we added upgraded dressing rooms with bright new mirrors, better equipment storage, and improved stage-loading access.Technological upgrades include crisp high-definition screens, cutting-edge sound and lighting, and a smoother, quieter HVAC system.Since it first opened its doors, Hobart Arena has welcomed everything from raucous rock concerts to quiet community gatherings, earning its place as a cultural cornerstone of western Ohio.On November 24, 1956, Elvis Presley lit up the stage with two shows, packing the venue so tight you could feel the heat from the crowd.Over the years, the stage has welcomed legends like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Gene Autry, Nat King Cole, Liberace, Conway Twitty, and The Beach Boys.Even now, it draws a crowd with contemporary acts from every corner of the music world.Sports Legacy: From 1951 to 1959, the Troy Bruins skated in the International Hockey League, bringing the crack of sticks and the rush of pro hockey to the region.The Troy Sabres and Miami Valley Sabres were semi-pro teams that kept hockey alive, lacing up year after year on cold, echoing rinks.Figure Skating and Youth Hockey host local clubs and leagues that have shaped young athletes for decades, from early-morning practices to the sharp scrape of blades on fresh ice.Hobart Arena stays busy year-round, hosting everything from high-energy basketball games to packed concerts where the bass thumps through the floor, plus comedy nights and touring shows.High school games and college matches, from the roar of a packed gym to the chill of a fall stadium night.Ice shows range from dazzling themed performances to hometown figure skating exhibitions, where you can hear the scratch of blades on fresh ice.Civic events include graduation ceremonies, bustling job fairs, and lively public expos.Faith gatherings, from Sunday church to shared interdenominational services.Charity galas and lively fundraisers, from candlelit dinners to bustling auction halls.Public ice skating returns for the season, with open sessions and lessons-lace up and glide across the crisp, cold rink.We offer learn-to-skate classes for kids and adults, from first wobbly steps on the ice to confident glides.Hockey camps and figure skating clinics, where the air rings with the scrape of blades on ice.You can book the Bravo Room or the arena floor for weddings, trade shows, corporate events, or conventions-even decked out with twinkling lights for a special night.Hobart Arena still plays a central role in Troy today, not just hosting events but standing as a bright symbol of the city’s dedication to community, culture, and recreation-a place where the scent of fresh popcorn drifts through the halls before a show.Through smart renovations and flexible programs, it meets the needs of today’s audience while still echoing the creak of its century-old floorboards.Hobart Arena has long been Troy’s heartbeat-hosting chart-topping bands one night, welcoming neighbors for a community event the next, its lights spilling onto the sidewalk like a warm invitation.
