History
Hara Arena opened on October 27, 1964, with a Dayton Gems exhibition game, and the Gems played in the IHL there until 1980 and again from 2009 to 2012. Wayne Gretzky played his first professional game there in a September 27, 1978, preseason match.
The arena held its last event on August 27, 2016. Tornadoes damaged it in May 2019, and it was demolished between September 2020 and February 2021.
Why it matters: Long-time home of the Dayton Gems and the site of Wayne Gretzky's first professional game.
Timeline
- October 27, 1964Opens[1]
The arena opened with a Dayton Gems exhibition against the Toledo Blades.
- September 27, 1978Gretzky's pro debut[1]
Wayne Gretzky played his first professional game, a preseason match between the Indianapolis Racers and Cincinnati Stingers.
- August 27, 2016Final event[1]
The arena held its final event.
- May 27, 2019Tornado damage[1]
Tornadoes caused extensive damage.
- September 25, 2020 – February 12, 2021Demolished[1]
The arena was demolished.
The site today
| Physical status | Demolished[1] |
|---|---|
| Mapped location | Former venue site |
We have not verified what occupies the site today. Know? Tell us, with a source.
Street View near the former site · Satellite view (external, current imagery)
Teams & events
| Dayton Gems | IHL · 1964–1980 1964-1977 and 1979-1980 |
|---|---|
| Dayton Gems | IHL · 2009–2012 |
| Dayton Demonz | FHL · 2012–2015 |
Listed here are organizations that used this physical venue. A franchise's history and a venue's history are tracked separately.
Venue facts
| Location | 1001 Shiloh Springs Road, Trotwood, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Venue type | Arena |
| Sports | Hockey, Football, Soccer |
| Level | IHL, CHL, FHL |
| Opened | October 27, 1964[1] |
| Last used for sports | August 27, 2016[1] |
| Demolished | September 25, 2020 – February 12, 2021[1] |
| Physical status | Demolished |
| Final capacity | 5,500[1] |
| Capacity notes | 5,500 permanent seats plus 1,500 festival seats. |
Documented details
- The State of Ohio bought the property in January 2026 and plans a forensic mental health facility there.[1]
Sources
- Hara Arena, Wikipedia. Accessed 2026-10-19Supports: capacity, closed, coordinates, demolished, events, opened, teams
Research confidence
Some facts on this page rely on a single source or are still being corroborated. Treat specific dates and figures with care. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.
See something wrong or missing? Suggest a correction or submit a source.