“OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA” (Ota City General Gymnasium) has been selected as a “stadium arena as an exchange base where diverse generations gather”
Ota City, Gunma Prefecture, is located in the southeastern part of Gunma Prefecture and is known as a company castle town because of the many factories of automobile companies. It is a city with a population of approximately 220,000 people (as of March 31, 2023).
There is a notable building in Ota City. “OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA” (Ota City General Gymnasium) will be completed in April 2023 and will also be used as the home arena for the professional basketball team “Gunma Crane Thunders”.
The Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are working on “stadium/arena reform” with the aim of realizing stadiums/arenas with high potential to become a catalyst for regional revitalization (realization of 20 stadiums/arenas by 2025). OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA has been selected as a target facility for “stadiums and arenas as exchange hubs where diverse generations gather” in 2022.
This time, we will talk about the background behind the birth of this arena, which can be called a symbol of a new town, and its contribution to regional revitalization. Open House Group Co., Ltd., the owner company of “Gunma Crane Thunders” and a company that actively promotes regional co-creation. We asked Hirotaka Yokose, the development manager.
OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA, which is also used as the home arena for the Gunma Crane Thunders, creates new regional value through sports.
The issues faced by Ota City and the issues faced by Gunma Crane Sanders coincided, and the hometown was relocated.
Before OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA was completed, the former Ota City Gymnasium was aging, and Ota City was considering rebuilding it as a regional disaster prevention base. In addition, the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, a rugby team representing eastern Japan that was based in Ota City, will relocate its practice base from Ota City to Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture in 2021. Ota City, which focuses on urban development through sports promotion, wanted to attract a professional sports team.
On the other hand, Yamato Civic Gymnasium Maebashi in Maebashi City, which has been the home arena for B.LEAGUE since its inception, is unable to meet the strict entry conditions for the new B1 (B.LEAGUE PREMIER) that will be established in 2026, and hopes for a home arena that meets the conditions. “Gunma Crane Thunders”. The desires of both parties coincided, and it was decided that a new arena would be built in Ota City in May 2021. OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA was completed in April 2023.
“The total construction cost of the arena is approximately 8.25 billion yen. Open House Group’s corporate version of hometown tax (regional revitalization support tax system)”, regional revitalization base development subsidy from the national government, and sports facilities for municipal sports from Gunma Prefecture. The arena was built using maintenance project subsidies and other financial resources. I believe that the speed with which the arena progressed from planning to completion was the result of smooth cooperation with the government, based on the common understanding among citizens that Ota City would be the sacred place for basketball in Gunma Prefecture.” (Yokose) )
Ota City built a new arena using part of the funding from corporate hometown tax payments from the Open House Group.It has become a model case for regional revitalization through public-private co-creation centered on sports.
The arena, which is just the right size for Ota City, which has a population of approximately 220,000, is easy for citizens to use and also functions as an evacuation center.
OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA, which meets the new B1 standards, will not only be used as the home arena for the Gunma Crane Thunders, but also as an arena that supports a variety of citizen activities, providing many citizens with a place to play sports and a place to improve their health. It provides a venue. Additionally, it is creating new regional value as a facility that protects the safety and security of citizens by serving as an evacuation center.
As the home arena for the Gunma Crane Thunders, it is also a state-of-the-art sports entertainment space that cannot be overlooked.
“While construction of large arenas with a capacity of more than 10,000 people is progressing across the country, this 5,000-person arena is perfect for a city with a population of about 220,000 people.The total area of 14 courts in Japan is approximately 6,100 inches. We installed one of the largest movable center vision systems and a sound system from France’s Elle Acoustics, which is said to be the best in the world, for the first time at a domestic basketball arena.50 speakers and 24 subwoofers were installed. The facility also features a state-of-the-art entertainment space that allows you to experience realistic sound wherever you are.It also features a suite lounge, making it an arena full of hospitality that will make you want to come back again. “I’m working on it,” Yokose said.
By placing the spectator seats as close to the court as possible, we have created a viewing space that is easy to view and creates a sense of unity.In addition, by storing the movable spectator seats, it is possible to use three basketball courts when used by the public. It is designed to be compatible with both uses.
“It is strictly a civic gymnasium, and on days when the Gunma Crane Thunders are not using it, it is rented out to the general public, and it is used for various purposes such as badminton matches and student basketball games.From 2024, it will also be used as a venue for coming-of-age ceremonies. “I’m here”
The 5,000-seat arena is just the right size for the city of Ota, which has a population of approximately 220,000, creating a sense of presence and unity by bringing the spectator seats and court as close as possible to liven up the game with one of Japan’s largest movable center vision systems.
Attracting a professional basketball team also contributes to urban development that promotes sports
Starting with the 2021-2022 season, the Gunma Crane Thunders moved their home base to Ota City. Various initiatives are being carried out in cooperation with Ota City and the team.
“Ota Marche is lively with more than 30 stores opening on Gunma Crane Thunders game days, Ota has 10 courts in the city equipped with night game equipment that anyone can use from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We are contributing to the development of Ota City by selling polo shirts in collaboration with the city, installing Sanda-kun (Claine Sanders mascot character) mailboxes in 26 locations in the city, and enlivening the community through basketball.City Hall employees Even city hall is now completely Sanders-colored, with people even wearing collaboration polo shirts to work,” says Yokose.
In 2017, the first year of B.LEAGUE, the number of visitors was a few hundred, but it has increased to an average of over 5,000 in the 2023-2024 season. It can be said that it has greatly contributed to the increase in the number of people interacting in the area around Ota City and Gunma Prefecture.
Ota Marche is a lively place with many stores opening in front of the arena on match days.
The greatest joy was being able to witness the moment when “Civic Pride” was born.
“In April 2023, we held a basketball game for the first time at OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA, and some people cried with joy.By creating such a place and town, local people can feel more confident. The rewarding part of community co-creation is being able to see first-hand the pride of the city.Everyone says, “Ota City has an OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA” and “We have the best arena in Japan where you can watch basketball.” The greatest joy of this project was being able to witness the birth of Civic Pride right in front of my eyes.”
OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA was completed by reducing the burden on local governments and the private sector by effectively utilizing corporate hometown tax payments.
Gunma Crane Sanders, who had the runner-up experience in the B League 2nd division, was unable to advance to the 1st division due to the management company’s excessive debts (Open House Group resolved the debt in 2019). dramatically improved.
“Comparing 2019 and 2023, the average number of visitors increased significantly from 1,367 to 5,014.Operating revenue was 335.77 million yen to 1.59 billion yen, and sponsorship income was 180 million yen. The revenue from admission fees increased from 88 million yen to 240 million yen.In the 2022-23 season, operating revenue increased from 1.5 billion yen to 240 million yen from 88 million yen. “We are expecting a further increase in revenue in the 2023-24 season,” said Yokose (data as of the date of interview).
Additionally, the new arena, which was completed through public-private collaboration, will allow “utilizing private-sector vitality to improve facilities and services while keeping costs down” and “by stabilizing management through club self-help efforts, professional sports will take root in the local community.” “Since the club and the government can operate the facility in a unified manner, it will be possible to develop a comprehensive initiative beyond the designated management outsourced facilities.” “We will aim to reduce repair costs through arrangements with the designated manager.” Yokose says that there are also benefits such as “this will enable stable facility management.”
The Open House Group promotes the “Ota Model,” in which sports teams, local governments, and companies work together to create a virtuous cycle of “towns, people, and jobs,” leading to sustainable regional revitalization. In anticipation of the population increase, the company also opened the “Ota Sales Center” in Ota City as a base for its brokerage department.
OPEN HOUSE ARENA OTA was created by making effective use of corporate hometown tax payments.
The regional co-creation by Gunma Crane Sanders, Ota City, and the Open House Group will be of great help to local governments and companies wanting to participate in professional sports across the country.
■Open House Group “Regional Co-Creation” Project
https://kyoso.openhouse-group.co.jp/
■Gunma Crane Sanders
Release date: February 25, 2024 11:00
Yuki Fuchiwaki
Editor/Writer
After working at a publishing company and an advertising production company, became a freelancer. She works as an editor and writer for information magazines, websites, etc., mainly in the housing and real estate industry. She visited over 1,000 homes during her research. She is also involved in the production of a collection of housing examples. With her light footwork, she enjoys reporting and disseminating information all over the country.
2024-02-25 02:02:30
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