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
Map
LocationBethel Park, Pennsylvania
OwnerKratsa Properties[1]

History

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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

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

Other activities

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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

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Several teams called their local Bladerunners their home rink:

References

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  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. ^ a b c d "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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40°32′22″N 79°50′04″W / 40.539557°N 79.834533°W / 40.539557; -79.834533