Four-sheet arena earns planning and zoning approval in Delaware
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio Blue Jackets are one step closer to a permanent home after plans for a four-sheet ice arena at U.S. Route 42 and Sawmill Parkway received local planning and zoning approval. The arena is planned as the first project in Maridel Properties’ proposed 258-acre mixed-use development.
For years, the Ohio Blue Jackets have worked to secure a home where generations of OBJ players can train, compete and develop. OBJ President Ed Gingher worked with Bruce Daniels of Maridel Properties and The Battery Hockey Academy to include all four sheets of ice in the first phase of development. As Connor Chomicki reported in Columbus Business First on November 9, the approved plan would give OBJ and The Battery, founded by former Columbus Blue Jackets All-Star and 13-year NHL veteran Cam Atkinson, a shared home in Delaware.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Ohio Blue Jackets take pride in being Ohio’s premier youth hockey program. With an everyday mission is to develop our student-athletes to reach their full potential on and off the ice, the program strives to provide a healthy, safe environment where each athlete can grow as a player, person and teammate. With four sheets of ice, dedicated performance training spaces and team facilities under one roof, our coaches could connect team practices, individual skills sessions and off-ice training in one development plan for each player, while teams would also have more opportunities to compete at home in front of their families.
The arena is designed to welcome skaters at every level, from families taking the ice for their first public skate to figure skaters and adult hockey players. Four sheets at one site, along with planned hospitality and concessions, would also give Central Ohio the capacity to host more regional and national youth hockey tournaments.
“Maridel is conceived as more than just a destination—our intention is to create a place where opportunity, connection, and community come together,” said Bruce Daniels of Maridel Properties. “Sports and youth development are at the core of our philanthropic mission to give back to the communities that make Central Ohio unique. Bringing together leaders like Cam and Ed allows us to build the skills, character, and confidence that the next generation needs to thrive, both on and off the ice.”
The Maridel Vision – www.maridel.com
The ice arena marks the first project of Maridel’s wider 258-acre master plan. Positioned along one of Ohio’s fastest-growing corridors, the proposed mixed-use development will integrate sports, entertainment, dining, retail, hospitality, and public gathering spaces designed to foster regional economic growth and connection. At the center of Maridel is an enduring philanthropic commitment to youth development and community enrichment. Additional architectural renderings, infrastructure plans, and commercial partnership announcements will be unveiled as phased site work begins. Members of the public, commercial prospective partners, and tournament organizers can review official project plans, architectural concepts, and ongoing development updates by visiting the newly launched community portal at maridel.com.
About The Battery Hockey Academy – www.batteryhockey.com
Founded by NHL veteran Cam Atkinson, The Battery Hockey Academy is a premier hockey skills and athletic development organization dedicated to elevating player performance, hockey IQ, and character through modern training methods and world-class instruction.
The Ohio Blue Jackets will share updates with families and the community as the partners advance the project. More information about the development is available at Maridel.com.