The City of Upper Arlington proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Bob Crane Community Center, a 165,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve as a hub for wellness, recreation, and community connection. Hundreds of residents attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on April 6, where they explored the expansive amenities, learned about programs and services, and purchased memberships.

“This is a milestone moment for Upper Arlington—one that has been more than 40 years in the making,” said Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter. “The Bob Crane Community Center is more than just a building; it’s a space where residents of all ages can learn, grow, and thrive. This facility was built for our community, by our community, and it will be a place where connections will be made for generations to come.”

The building features a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, including a fitness center, indoor track, gymnasiums, swimming pool, multipurpose learning spaces, event center, and dedicated areas for youth and senior programming. Designed with the community’s needs in mind, the Bob Crane Community Center brings together Upper Arlington Parks & Recreation programs to one location.

“This facility represents a milestone for our community, bringing together Parks & Recreation programs and services under one roof for the first time,” said Upper Arlington Parks and Recreation Director Debbie McLaughlin. “Designed with input from our residents, it offers spaces for fitness, learning, social gatherings, and recreation—ensuring that people of all ages have opportunities to connect, stay active, and enrich their lives.”

Hundreds of community members gather in the Event Center to celebrate the grand opening of the Bob Crane Community Center.

Mayor Ukeme Awakessien Jeter delivers remarks during the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of City Council, City leadership, and special guests cut the ceremonial ribbon during the grand opening celebration of the Bob Crane Community Center.

A key feature of the Bob Crane Community Center is the partnership with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which occupies 34,000 square feet to offer a range of health and wellness services. These include physical therapy, integrative health programs, and The James Cancer Supportive Care program, providing Upper Arlington residents with convenient access to exceptional healthcare resources close to home.

“We are honored to have been selected as the city’s health and wellness partner,” said Dan Like, chief administrative officer of Ambulatory Services at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “Many of our alumni and employees call Upper Arlington their home and have received healthcare services at our Outpatient Care Upper Arlington. Now, we look forward to strengthening these connections through our Center for Integrative Health, James Cancer Supportive Services, Exercise is Medicine and physical therapy offered at the Bob Crane Community Center. These services and programs focus on prevention, healthy living and wellbeing, which are all in alignment with our collective goal to create a healthier community.”

The Bob Crane Community Center was named in honor of Bob Crane, whose legacy of leadership and community service continues to inspire those throughout central Ohio. The project would not have been possible without the generosity of the Upper Arlington community and private donors. The Crane family played a pivotal role, with the late Loann Crane making a $2 million lead donation in honor of her husband, who was instrumental in growing Crane Plastics into a globally recognized leader in plastics innovation. This contribution was part of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation’s capital campaign, which successfully raised $8 million to support the project.