Friday, April 29, 2016

More Speculation About Hara Arena


Is Hara Arena, home of the Dayton Hamvention, at risk
of closing? A local newspaper report says it's being
considered as the new county fairgrounds.

Speculation continues about the future of Hara Arena, home to the Dayton Hamvention®. A story in the Dayton Daily News in late April reported that the arena is under consideration as the new home of the Montgomery County Fair, whose old fairgrounds are being considered for commercial redevelopment. According to the newspaper report, Hara was one of three locations in the Dayton suburb of Trotwood that was visited recently by representatives of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, which runs the county fair. Hara spokeswoman Karen Wampler did not deny the visit, but criticized the report as speculation, which she said "undermines our ability to attract events, sponsors, patrons and investors." Hara has been in a precarious financial situation for several years, and the newspaper reports that it is currently in the process of paying down more than a quarter-million dollars in delinquent property taxes.