Rink

July / August 2015

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20 / JULY.AUGUST.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM teams on the sheet at once. Extra benches in the rink will provide extra seating, giving each team a feeling of having their own bench without the congestion that often results during cross-ice. "That's a part of the development: making it fun and making a great experience for these kids," Herr said. "When coaches are running into each other or they don't have their own space, it becomes an issue, so we tried to create the best atmosphere for growth and fun." The arena will also be home to elite hockey programs including Slippery Rock University club hockey, the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, along with the Penguins Hockey School. The Penguins Elite, a Tier I program and the Penguins Hockey School will attract the city's elite. Herr adds that, despite its high-level surround- ings, UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex remains for everyone. "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." NHL Flavor The first touch of NHL flavor begins with the name itself. "Having an owner of that stature who has played the game at that level is obvi- ously great," Hixon said of the legendary Lemieux. "We're hoping this is a great legacy piece for him for everything he has done, not only with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but for the growth of the sport in Pittsburgh." Adding to the flavor are the Penguins, who will call Rink 1 home for practice and training. The Penguins locker room at UPMC is an exact replica of the team's locker room at CONSOL Energy Center. The weight room, medical facility and offices are also TENANTS: Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Pittsburgh Penguins Elite (AAA), Mighty Penguins (Sled), Slippery Rock University (ACHA club). FUN FACT: The Pittsburgh Penguins locker room is an exact replica of their locker room at CONSOL Energy Center. SKATING PROGRAMS: Learn to Play, Basic Skills, Little Penguins Learn to Play, Red, White and Blue (ADM), in-house leagues, amateur practices and games, high school practices and games, Hockey Is for Everyone, youth and elite tournaments, spring leagues, public skating sessions, figure skating and birthday parties. 2015 YEAR OPENED RINK BREAKDOWN ICE RESURFACER: TWO ZAMBONI 546 PROPANE MACHINES. REFRIGERATION SYSTEM: Ammonia , Continued from page 19 135,000 SQUARE FEET LOCKER ROOMS 2 200' x 85' NHL-SIZE RINKS TYPES OF RINK FLOOR CONCRETE 900 ( M A I N R I N K ) 4 5 0 : C O M M U N I T Y R I N K SEATING CAPACITY LIGHTING IN ARENA: LED. FUN FACT: Ex-NHLers Matt Herr and Gary Roberts lead the staff. Herr is executive director of the complex. Roberts oversees performance training. SPECIAL FEATURES: The facility includes a world-class medical center staffed by doctors from UPMC. It will be the first rink complex of its kind to focus on hockey-related performance training, injury prevention, rehab and research. Weight room Matt Herr Gary Roberts Featured Rink UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex | | Cranberry Township, Pa. PHOTOS: JOE SARGENT/PITTSBURGH PENGUINS, COURTESY OF UPMC LEMIEUX SPORTS COMPLEX

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