The planned closing of Hara Arena in Trotwood has brought some added inquiries about activities at Troy’s Hobart Arena.

Ken Siler, city recreation director, said Monday, Aug. 1, that interest primarily has involved use of the Hobart Arena ice for hockey.

“There have been inquiries for our youth hockey program due to the closing of Hara and the impact it will have on the hockey programs that have played there,” Siler said.

“In addition, we have been working with a couple adult hockey groups who have been at Hara.  They will be renting the ice from us beginning in October,” he said.

As far as other types of events, Siler said he’s received one call about an event possibly moving from Hara to Hobart. However, that event’s space needs exceeded what Hobart Arena could offer.

Additional activities will continue to be scheduled at Hobart, as appropriate, Siler said. He added, however, that there’s a need for “a balance of special events and ice availability to accommodate all of our figure skating, public skating and hockey needs.”

Hara Arena’s closing at month’s end was announced Friday, July 29.

Hobart Arena now is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation.

The facility has been closed since July 11 with a Sept. 26 return to use of ice targeted so hockey and skating programs can resume, Siler said.

“The contractors are targeting to have the main arena and some of the corridor completed by this timeframe so we can start again with our hockey and skating programs,” he said.

The full renovation project is scheduled for completion in January with contractors now saying they are on target to meet that date, he said.