Smash Park Ribbon Cutting Begins New Eatertainment Complex for Westar
City and State Officials Come Together to Celebrate New Sports Venue Before Public Opening
Smash Park was officially welcomed into the Westerville community today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrating the grand opening of the highly anticipated eatertainment venue in the Westar Center at 495 Polaris Parkway, the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Polaris Parkway.
The event was attended by outgoing Chamber President Janet Davis, along with Westerville’s Mayor, City Council members, state legislative representatives, and members of the city management staff, all recognizing Smash Park as a major new attraction and a contributor to the region’s growing entertainment and business landscape.
Video Walkthrough of Smash Park
(Unedited Version)
The 50,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor venue opens to the public on Tuesday, August 26, at 10 a.m. It features six pickleball courts, duckpin bowling, ax-throwing, private karaoke “Sing Suites,” a rooftop bar, yard games, and a full-service restaurant and bar. Designed as a multi-use community hub, Smash Park also offers private event space for up to 600 guests, a tech-equipped meeting room, and hosts regular events such as leagues, trivia nights, and themed tournaments.
“This space was created to bring people together,” said Monty Lockyear, CEO of Smash Park. “We’re thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and welcoming community. Westerville’s energy and identity helped shape every detail of this location—from the menu and games to the architecture and design.”
Smash Park’s Westerville location features a custom-designed exterior different than other Smash Parks at the insistence of the planning commission and the city council. The interior is equipped with more than 100 HDTVs, ideal for game day gatherings and watch parties.
Rachel Ray, Economic Development Director for the City of Westerville, noted the venue’s significance to the local economy and lifestyle: “Smash Park is the kind of place that adds value across the board—for residents, workers, and visitors. It brings jobs, creates a new destination for entertainment and connection, and enhances the quality of life here in Westerville.”
Candidate List Correction
School Board candidate Tatjana Brown was omitted from Friday’s list of candidates. Her information is below.
Tatjana Brown, an 18-year Westerville resident and local business owner, is the mother of three children in the district. She brings a broad parental perspective to the race. Brown and her husband own an Uptown Westerville wine shop that has actively fundraised for local schools and charities. Her campaign platform prioritizes smart budgeting, strong support for educators, and creating inclusive opportunities for every student.
Westerville 2025 Candidates Contact Information Website
The Westerville News has created a web page listing contact information for each of the City Council and School Board candidates. The information is correct as of Thursday, August 21, 2025, and will be updated if the candidate’s information changes. Bookmark the site for easy reference.
Guest Conductor to Take the Podium at Rescheduled Westerville Symphony Concert
The Westerville Symphony’s postponed Sounds of Freedom concert is Sunday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Alum Creek Park Amphitheater—and it comes with an extra dose of excitement: the winner of the 2025 Stars and Stripes Showdown will take the stage as guest conductor.
The community-driven fundraiser, hosted by Maestro Peter Stafford Wilson and Westerville legend Helka Casey, features four local leaders competing for the chance to conduct the Symphony in its stirring finale performance of John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.
This year’s Stars and Stripes celebrity candidates were:
Jeff Washburn, Westerville City Council
Amy Bauman, Your Development Resource
Adam Price, Reach Realty
Lori Kay Harvey, Otterbein University Music Theater
Throughout June, each candidate campaigned for the podium by rallying donations from the community. The candidate who raised the most funds earns the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead the Symphony before a full crowd at the amphitheater.
The August 24 concert, part of the Symphony’s Sounds of Freedom celebration, is free and open to the public. It was originally scheduled earlier in the summer but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Proceeds from the Stars and Stripes Showdown support the Westerville Symphony’s mission to present impactful concerts and cultural programming that enhance the arts in the Westerville area.
“This event celebrates not just music, but the incredible community that surrounds it,” said Maestro Wilson. “It’s a unique blend of civic pride, entertainment, and support for the arts.”
Car Crash at State and Polaris
An aquarium ejected from an overturned car sits in the center lane of Polaris Parkway late Friday afternoon. Traffic was closed on southbound State Street and narrowed to one lane eastbound on Polaris at the intersection just before two high school football games and the closing of State Street through Uptown for Fourth Friday.
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
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