The Columbus Fury, hailing from the professional world of Major League Volleyball, is set to churn up the nets at Upper Arlington's Bob Crane Community Center for their 2026 training season starting on December 1. This move brings the team into the heart of the community, as they'll capitalize on the resources of the newly opened venue to prepare for the upcoming professional bouts.
City Manager Steve Schoeny shared the community's enthusiasm for the team's new training ground, "We’re proud to welcome the Columbus Fury into the Bob Crane Community Center and into our community," according to the City of Upper Arlington, he mentioned in a statement reflecting the affinity between the athletes and their new hosts, aligning fitness and recreational facilities with community spirits; this partnership will open doors for residents to witness high-caliber sports performers in their natural habitat—the very same courts where they hone their competitive edge.
Located a mere six miles from the Nationwide Arena, the Bob Crane Community Center stands as an emblem of contemporary design, marrying wellness and communal facilities in a smart package that seems custom-cut for the needs of an elite athletic prep space. The Columbus Fury will undoubtedly leverage this proximity to streamline their practice and play transitions, priming themselves for both home and away skirmishes.
David Paitson, CEO of the Columbus Fury, underscore the strategic benefits, "Partnering with the City of Upper Arlington and the Bob Crane Community Center provides our athletes with world-class training spaces and resources," his acknowledgement of the City's infrastructure embedding within the threads of their sports practice, strengthening the foundation upon which the athletes push towards their peak—a synergy promising enhanced volleyball action for fans come the new year, with road games kicking off January 8 and the home opener back at Nationwide Arena on January 10.
For additional information and future developments on this partnership, visit the City of Upper Arlington's official announcement.
