Lemieux complex is a community asset beyond hockey
The UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township is more than just the practice facility for the five-time Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
It is a $73 million, 185,000-square-foot facility that also serves as a regional hub for UPMC doctors and physicians. It continues to be a driver of economic activity for surrounding communities.
The facility, named after Pittsburgh Penguins minority owner and former captain Mario Lemieux, opened its doors 10 years ago and, according to Kara Radeke, executive director of the complex, there is something for everyone inside the walls.
“The most marquee thing is being the practice facility for the Penguins,” Radeke said. “We are also a community asset with the diversity of programs we offer. Even being here for 10 years, the perception might be we are private, just for hockey. But we are really open to everybody, seven days a week.”
On the Penguins and hockey side of the building, which encompasses 125,000 square feet of the complex, there are two full-size ice rinks, training and locker rooms, a video viewing area, executive offices and more.
Each week there are “open skate” times for the public, as well as times dedicated for beginners to learn how to skate.
“The FedEx rink is the primary sheet that the Penguins use, but both are open to the public,” Radeke said. “It’s a unique opportunity for the parents and kids to be able to skate on the ice the Penguins skate on, eat the food they eat and watch them for free. It’s a really cool experience for everybody.”
The Penguins’ practice schedule is posted on the facility’s website the first of every month, starting Sept. 1, Radeke said.
The complex has hosted small birthday parties and larger private events, but it also hosts more than 20 youth hockey tournaments throughout the year, according to Amy Pack, president of Experience Butler County.
“We work with Kara pretty much hand in hand when it comes to tournaments,” Pack said. “We can provide a savings pass so they can visit all our restaurants and retailers. We advertise that at the center so they know what to do while they are here.”
Pack said in 2023, the facility saw more than 750,000 guests between tournaments, doctors appointments and everything in between.
Pack said hotels and restaurants are the largest beneficiaries of downstream economic activity from the complex, but there is much more than that.
“They may play a round of golf when they are here or go to the movies,” Pack said. “I think about everyone feels their presence and the power they bring to the community with the things happening there, which are pretty much happening 24/7.”
Radeke said one single tournament could bring in between 30 to 50 teams, with each team bringing roughly 50 people among players, coaches and parents.
When larger tournaments come to town, the complex partners with other local ice rinks such as the Baierl Toyota Ice Complex nearby in Marshall Township, Allegheny County, Radeke said.
“This facility helps generate business and opportunity for other local rinks,” Radeke said. “We may host a tournament that we need more ice for. So being able to purchase ice and give them business at the other rinks is also beneficial.”
Radeke attributes part of the facility’s success over the past 10 years to the easy access to Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, but there is more to the facility than its location.
“Any excitement around the Penguins gets people interested in getting on the ice,” Radeke said. “We have a world-class staff, so we offer learn-to-skate or elite hockey training for those looking to play Division I hockey in college. It’s about creating a great experience regardless of the level of competition. I think between the excitement of the game itself, the Penguins and providing that great experience for all levels all contribute to our success.”
The other 60,000 square feet in the complex houses UPMC doctors and physicians, in areas of medicine beyond sports training and recovery.
Physician services, including orthopedic surgeons, primary care sports medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation, are available at the facility, according to Elizabeth Piccione, president of UPMC Passavant.
“To me, the Lemieux complex is how we should deliver services into the future,” Piccione said. “It is not just strictly for doctors offices. In the things that are not orthopedic, we look at women’s health services. Not only can you see a women’s health provider, but there are specialty clinics. There is a midwife center, there are surgical associates, a clinic for chronic pelvic and bladder pain, which is a big deal for women of all ages. There are some specialized services in addition to regular OBGYN services.”
Piccione said UPMC is trying to make the complex a “one-stop shop” for many outpatient services moving forward and in some cases it already has.
Innovations over the past 10 years have helped UPMC doctors and physicians diagnose and treat patients Piccione said, particularly at the midwife center with less-invasive surgical techniques, as well as better screening techniques for breast cancer diagnoses.
“I have seen people diagnosed with breast cancer and they have a surgery and because of that they have increased swelling,” Piccione said. “They need to see a special physician that helps with that. It’s all done at the Lemieux complex.”
MaCalus Hogan, chair of Orthopaedic Surgery at UPMC, said over the past year, athletes and nonathletes of all ages will now have a wider window of time to gain pertinent information and treatment regarding recent injuries courtesy of a new program at the complex.
Hogan and other physicians have opened the After Hours Walk-In Orthopaedic Injury Clinic that will provide specialized care to patients outside of regular office hours.
Patients can receive initial diagnoses on sports-related injuries, bone, joint, tendon and muscle injuries, acute back and neck pain and broken bones.
“Some nights we are seeing 20 to 25 patients after hours there,” Hogan said. “During the day, doctors are there with their regular clinic schedules. It runs Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. We plan to expand that model to other communities as well.”
Preventive therapy services for orthopedic and musculoskeletal disorders also take place at the facility, Hogan said.
“When individuals present an orthopedic and musculoskeletal ailment, the question is can we manage this without surgery,” Hogan said. “In the event they do require surgery, the complex is the best place for comprehensive treatment. From therapy, to initial assessment and our surgical care.”
Hogan highlighted the complex’s concussion services and programs, which he says are some of the best in the United States.
“Some of our professionals see patients at Lemieux and provide therapy there as well,” Hogan said. “The value out of the complex is the advanced imaging that are needed and are on-site. That’s advanced MRI imaging along with X-rays and cognitive testings.”
Cranberry Township manager Dan Santoro said the township has been pleased with the Penguins’ decision to locate within the community and he feels the vision of the team and UPMC matches that of Cranberry.
“I think the facility demonstrates the progressiveness of UPMC,” Santoro said. “I think the vision of the Penguins fits with the vision of the community, with that being progressive and a great place for families. The location is second to none with access to the highway system. I think our community is seen as well planned and it looks forward to the future. This is a facility recognized all around the National Hockey League.”
In 2010, MSA Safety moved its corporate headquarters to Cranberry Township, which Santoro feels was the steppingstone to the township being a hub for businesses and organizations known around the world.
“I think that vision was cast by the board of supervisors when we partnered with MSA and they created the Cranberry Woods Office Park,” Santoro said. “It started there. Then you saw Westinghouse come in. I think that Route 228 corridor is what has lead to the success of the township. We were building a world-class business community there.”
This article first appeared in the August edition of Butler County Business Matters.
