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STARRINKS.COM JULY.AUGUST.2015 / 19 Visible from Interstate-79, the 185,000 square-foot facility will be a destination. Like Lemieux, UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex will be a game changer. Injury Prevention and Recovery In 2000, UPMC teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh and the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. Together they created the UPMC Sports Performance Complex, a home for mul- tisport training and sports medical atten- tion. Its success, especially in regards to concussions, paved the way for the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. "Over the past few years we've tested thousands of athletes (with baseline test- ing)," said Hixon. "It's been tremendous to have been able to test such a signifi- cant amount of athletes at no charge to the athlete because of the partnership with UPMC." Plans for UPMC to team up with the Penguins and the sport of hockey began five years ago. Ground then officially broke on the complex in the spring of 2014. The $70 million endeavor dedicates 135,000 square feet to the ice arena and its two rinks. The remaining 50,000 square feet will be dedicated to clinical space. That space will house UPMC orthope- dic and therapy programs. Staffed doctors trained in athlete rehab and performance will also provide concussion clinics, MRI capabilities, physical therapy and sports performance training. "This building is going to transform the game itself," said Hixon. "We have a facility that we can utilize from both a youth and professional standpoint. We can give them both an excellent amount of training and treatment in one single place." Athlete Development Matt Herr has always fully embraced USA Hockey's American Development Model. When he was told about the project UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex was bringing together, he jumped at the opportunity to become the facility's execu- tive director. Finally, the science behind athletic development could be brought to the forefront of hockey training. "The goal here is to make it age- appropriate training at UPMC," said Herr, a former NHL player, NCAA national champion and USA Hockey ADM regional manager. "We're training these players using the development model and the sport science behind that to help players reach their full potential. There's not a place in this world where you've merged the top doctors with the top train- ing. That's what we've done here at the Lemieux Complex." Rink 2 will further establish a long- term athlete development program with its emphasis on cross-ice hockey. The community rink will be equipped with ADM-specific benches and multiple sets of hard dividers, allowing up to three , Continued on page 20 "THIS FACILITY IS JUST AS MUCH FOR THE 5- OR 6-YEAR-OLD THAT'S LEARNING TO PLAY THE GAME AS IT IS FOR THE ELITE HOCKEY PLAYER." — MATT HERR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UPMC LEMIEUX SPORTS COMPLEX