In 1946, William H. and Edward A. Hobart had
a vision. Their vision was a vastly expanded recreational program for
the City of Troy. This expansion would involve an 18-hole golf course,
a new football stadium and a winter sports arena.They proposed that if the
citizens of Troy passed a $450,000 bond issue to build the golf course and
stadium, the C.C. Hobart Foundation would build and give to the City of Troy
a winter sports facility.
Troy City Council accepted and
approved the plan. At a special election in 1947, the citizens
overwhelmingly approved the plan.
The new municipal golf course
opened in April, 1947, and the stadium in September that same year. On
September 6, 1950, the vision became a reality with the opening of Hobart
Sports Arena. Since then many charitable, religious, civic, and educational
groups have benefited from using the facility.
Over the years, some of the best
known entertainers in the world have performed at the Arena. It has
hosted all types of sporting events, trade shows, conferences, concerts,
etc. The events and activities have generated millions of dollars for
the Greater Troy area.
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In 1995, Lucia Bravo visited Hobart Arena and
noticed several areas that needed to be upgraded. After discussing
this with her husband, Robert, the Bravos had a vision of giving more than
one million dollars to be used as seed money for the renovating of Hobart
Arena.
They felt by committing such an
amount, that the citizens of Troy, other groups and organizations would also
donate towards the upgrading of the facility. In 1996, Troy City Council
and the Recreation Board approved the project and a renovation committee was
formed. The architectural firm of Lorenz and Williams of Dayton, Ohio, was
hired, and a complete assessment of the facility’s needs were made and
prioritized.
The goal of the Bravos, the
arena’s Renovation Committee, and the architects was to bring Hobart Arena
up to modern day standards, equivalent to the day it was opened. |
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In April of 1997, the first
project began. Since then the following projects have been completed:
the arena’s roof and exterior areas were repaired, windows were replaced,
exterior lighting was upgraded and new landscaping was added; the main
entrance and lobby were upgraded; in the corridor, a rubberized floor was
installed, walls were revamped and a ceiling added; the concession stands
were relocated to make room for the constructions of the Troy Hall of Fame
in the hall entrance; the restrooms and locker rooms were renovated; the
arena’s ceiling was painted; the ice surface was enlarged and new seating
was installed; the acoustics were evaluated and baffles and a new sound
system were installed. The City Council paid for and installed a new
electrical system and air-conditioning system. |
