BladeRunners Ice Complex

The BladeRunners Ice Complex was a group of ice hockey rinks and sports facilities which were located in Western Pennsylvania.[2]

BladeRunners Ice Complex
LocationBethel Park, Pennsylvania
OwnerKratsa Properties[1]

History

BladeRunners' first location opened in Harmarville, Pennsylvania in 1992; it was the first twin-ice facility in the Pittsburgh region.[3] Two other locations opened in Warrendale, Pennsylvania in 1994 and in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania in 1995.[3] The Harmarville location gained a third rink in 2003.[3]

BladeRunners hosted the 2005 American Collegiate Hockey Association Division III Men's National Hockey Championships and the USA in-line Girl's 16 and under national team.[3] It was the home ice for several collegiate hockey programs, including Slippery Rock University, California University of Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh Panthers.[4]

In 2012, the owners considered selling the Warrendale facility to the Grace Community Church.[5][6] However, the sale did not proceed and nearly all tenants returned.[7]

In 2015, all of BladeRunners' locations were sold: the Warrendale rink became Baierl Ice Complex, the Harmarville location became Alpha Ice Complex, and Bethel Park location underwent a conversion to a YMCA.

Leagues

Bladerunners Ice Complex hosted a variety of ice hockey leagues, from junior age to college.

Other activities

Select Bladerunners Ice Complexes offered on-ice bumper cars. Figure skating, sticktimes, pickup hockey, learn to skate, learn to play hockey, and various other activities were also offered.

Tenants

Several teams called their local Bladerunners their home rink:

References
  1. Sciullo, Maria (March 16, 2012). "Zoning puts chill on ice rink land in Bethel Park". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  2. "Where to go ... BladeRunners Ice Complex". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 3, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  3. "History". BladeRunners Ice Complex. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  4. "Links". BladeRunners Ice Complex. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  5. Kissel, Jennifer (March 15, 2012). "Youth hockey may be out in cold if Marshall rink is sold". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2012./
  6. Conway, Rachael (March 15, 2012). "Church bid to use ice skating facility rejected in Marshall". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
  7. Conway, Rachael (July 3, 2012). "Skating rink to remain; former tenants to return". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 3, 2012.

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