The City of Upper Arlington made history on Monday, April 17, 2023, when the community came together to turn the first shovels of dirt at The Bob Crane Community Center site nearly four years after a resident-led task force was formed to place a renewed focus on this long-anticipated wish of many residents.

“We have the entire community to thank – throughout the process, residents participated in impressive numbers. They let us know in no uncertain terms that a community center was needed for so many worthy reasons, and they ultimately put their faith in the City to get it done,” said Brendan King, Mayor & President of City Council

Upper Arlington’s new Community Center will be a 155,000 square foot facility spanning five floors plus a large mezzanine. Amenities include:

• Public Lobby with Café Space
• Multipurpose indoor pool including lap lanes, water slide, water play and zero entry
• Indoor Play Space
• Child Watch Space
• Multi-Level Exercise Floor
• Multiple Group Exercise and Programming Rooms
• Senior Lounge
• Two-Court Hardwood Gymnasium
• One Court Rubberized Floor Multi-Use Gymnasium
• Indoor Walking/Running Track
• E-Sports Technology and Gaming Rooms
• Open Gaming Lounge with Billiards and Ping Pong
• Large Event Space
• Multiple Outdoor Decks

The building also includes approximately 40,000 square feet of leasable office space. The City is currently negotiating with the OSU Wexner Medical Center to lease the space in the building, adding additional services and amenities for the community.

The community center would not be possible without support from the UA community. The Upper Arlington Community Foundation partnered with the City on a capital campaign to support the Bob Crane Community Center construction. The Community Center Capital Campaign Committee secured over $8 million in private funds to support the project. A lead gift of $2 million celebrates the life and legacy of Robert “Bob” S. Crane, Jr., lovingly contributed by his late wife, Loann Crane.

“This donation reflects our commitment to lead by example, and I hope it will prompt others in this community to follow with their financial support of this long-awaited and much-needed community center,” Loann Crane said in August 2021. “Bob loved this community and loved sports. He would have been proud to see this legacy continue for generations of Upper Arlington families.”

Construction of the new community center is expected to take approximately two years, with the grand opening in the spring/summer of 2025. The total cost of the facility will be approximately $81 million.

MSA Sport designed the building in partnership with Perkins+Will. The building will be constructed by ECBC, a partnership between Elford and Continental Building Company