Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1169925
Hockey first With hockey being such a valuable com- modity to the area, the project wanted to ensure as little displacement as possible. In order to achieve that, it was done in two phases: • Phase one after the hockey season ended in 2016. • Phase two, the second and non-hockey half of the 72,000 square-foot building, was then completed and opened in May 2017. "In 2016, all of the locker rooms and ame- nities in the ice rink were opened in time for the hockey season so we could accommo- date hockey that year," said Lybarger. The Spencer Family Y is home to South Hills Amateur Hockey Association, which includes more than 30 teams, along with five-time state champion Bethel Park High School. A special needs hockey group, The Emperors, also uses the ice each Saturday night, as do various men's leagues and learn to skates and the Penguins Learn to Play hockey program. Lybarger admits that while disruption was minimal during the reconstruc- tion and remodel, with change there is always challenge. "(A project like this) is never easy," he said. "We had some outlying tenants, smaller high school groups had to go find other places just because of ice time and the large amount SHAHA needs. "No one likes change, but I would say we were able to be successful in retaining SHAHA and Bethel teams. Without us, we're not sure what they would have done." More than hockey While hockey remains a familiar driv- ing force in Bethel Park, the access to a multipurpose facility at Spencer Family YMCA has been met with plenty of excitement, too. "It has had such a meaningful impact on cross-training for those hockey teams," said Lybarger. "Now they not only have the on-ice activities, but there are several off-ice options and a variety of things available to them. There's speed and agility in the gym. There's fitness equipment for lifting and core develop- ment with cutting edge machines. The fitness floor's yoga rooms are heavily uti- lized, and there are places you could take different classes." In addition to the rink, Spencer Family YMCA houses two swimming pools (a lap and family pool), a half-gym, strength and fitness wellness center, an upstairs exercise studio and community meeting room as well as more than 50 fitness classes. USICERINKS.COM SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2019 / 19 PULL QUOTE TEXT , It's one of the only YMCA facilities in the country with an ice rink as part of its programming.