A stretch of vacant farmland near the Delaware Municipal Airport could soon become one of Central Ohio’s newest sports and entertainment destinations.
The Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, the elite youth hockey organization affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets, has submitted plans for a massive new facility that would combine indoor and outdoor ice rinks with a performance pavilion.
The proposed Performance Impact Arena and Pavilion would anchor the northwest corner of the 258-acre Maridel subdivision, located at U.S. Route 42 and Sawmill Parkway.
Plans currently under review by the Delaware Planning Commission outline a 127,000-square-foot complex with two indoor hockey rinks and a convertible outdoor amphitheater that could serve as an open-air hockey rink during the winter months.
If approved, this project would bring year-round activity to a largely undeveloped part of the city, transforming it into a regional hub for both athletics and live events. The facility would not only serve local hockey players but could also host tournaments, concerts, and community gatherings.
Additional proposals for the surrounding area include a condominium community, four commercial plots, and a “driving park” designed to accommodate training for up to 5,000 student drivers.
The Performance Impact Arena would mark a significant expansion for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets and could serve as a major draw for visitors, athletes, and families throughout the region.
As Delaware continues to grow, developments like this one signal a shift toward turning the city into a more dynamic destination for residents and the wider Central Ohio community.
