The Bob Crane Community Center recently conducted a grand opening on April 6, 2025. Bob Crane earned the title of this building after his wife submitted a lead donation of $2 million dollars towards the facility.
In an interview with Jamie Crane, Bob Crane’s daughter, she elaborated on UA’s meaning for her father.
“My dad grew up in Upper Arlington, and it was always an important place to him. During the Depression, his family lost everything and the Upper Arlington community really supported them through that time. So this was my mother’s way of giving back,” Crane said.
The process of bringing the community center together was lengthy. Costing a staggering $85 million dollars, and standing at five floors, 165,446 square feet, the community center was a 40 year project that the Cranes have been a part of.
“It’s been 40 years in the making that they’ve been talking about building a community center. I’ve been involved in it for probably 20 years, talking about it and trying to raise funds for it finally happened, and I think it’s going to be a game changer for our community,” Crane said.
The center consists of facilities inclusive to all ages. There is an indoor pool, a café, fitness spaces, three gymnasiums, a senior lounge, a child watch center and more.
“What’s nice is that it’s intergenerational, so I’m seeing people of all ages there. I think that it’s wonderful for our community to be able to serve everyone,” Crane said.
With pools and child care centers perfect for kids, gymnasiums and exercise spaces available to everyone and event centers made to bring our community together, the Community Center meets all of Upper Arlington’s needs.
“I’ve only heard good things. I keep a close eye on the Upper Arlington discussion board [and] I think that everyone’s really happy. The only thing I’ve heard is that there isn’t a sauna,” Crane said.
On top of the appealing amenities, Crane agrees that the prices are very reasonable. A day pass for an Upper Arlington resident is $10.00. That’s the same price as a day pass at one of Upper Arlington’s community pools. The only difference is that customers get more amenities than just a pool.
“People are really excited about the cost, and particularly for seniors, it’s very reasonable,” Crane said.
Any Upper Arlington resident would be well aware of the work put into this facility. For the past two years, Tremont Road has undergone long-term construction. However, decades of planning have been undertaken by the Crane family and many other planning committees.
“It’s been a 40 year process, but I think that we can really point to our city managers doing a really great job of getting community input and really listening to what people wanted and then incorporating all of that,” Crane said.
The Community Center is at the heart of Upper Arlington and will bring people together under Bob Crane’s legacy.
“I think my dad might be slightly mortified, because I’m not sure he’d be overly excited to have his name up there, but he really believed in giving back to his community. So, I feel a little tingle every time I drive by,” Crane said.
