Renovations at New ERIEBANK Sports Park to Begin in January

Greater Regional Erie Athletic Team Training (G.R.E.A.T.T.) and ERIEBANK announced that G.R.E.A.T.T. has completed the purchase of Erie’s Family First Sports Park, and will begin a multi-million dollar renovation of the facility. The multi-use athletic complex will be renamed ERIEBANK Sports Park.  

ERIEBANK is supporting the park through financing, as well as donations of funds and a commitment to a strategic partnership to strengthen the park’s success for years to come.

The facility will serve local youth, and is expected to contribute to local sports tourism through local, state and national tournaments and events.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in mid-January. Renovations to the project will include:

•         Installation of two NHL regulation-size ice rinks

•         Construction of eight full-size ice rink locker rooms, including rooms specifically for women and referees

•         Resurfacing the four-court basketball and volleyball gymnasium

•         Interior renovations of the existing Dome, including installation of two indoor turf fields

•         Upgrades to eight existing outdoor grass fields

•         Parking lot improvements

Phase Two of the project will see the construction of a four-diamond baseball park, as well as the replacement of existing outdoor fields with turf fields. A timeframe for Phase Two has not yet been set.

“Working in partnership with many organizations and community leaders, G.R.E.A.T.T. is about to realize our vision of a state-of-the-art multi-sport complex that creates opportunities for Erie youth and serves as an engine for economic development in the region,” said Bob Catalde, president of the G.R.E.A.T.T. Board of Directors. “We are very excited to begin construction next month on a complete revitalization of this facility, both inside and out.”

ERIEBANK Sports Park, will be operated by Rink Management Services, the largest operator of ice skating facilities in the United States.

In addition to support from ERIEBANK, G.R.E.A.T.T. has received a $3 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and a $500,000 grant from the Summit Township Industrial and Economic Development Authority, as well as several private donations.

“We are proud to partner with G.R.E.A.T.T. to create a space in which youth can develop their abilities and realize their potential,” said Dave Zimmer, president of ERIEBANK. “ERIEBANK Sports Park will be a place where kids learn how to be part of a team and discover all that is possible when people work together toward a shared goal. That aspect alone will pay dividends for Erie for years to come.”

“The importance of this facility to the Erie community cannot be overstated,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “ERIEBANK Sports Park will be the perfect destination for many types of sporting events that will drive significant economic impact into our region through tourism. Furthermore, the youth sports programming that will have the opportunity to expand with this new facility will create opportunities for area youth that would not have otherwise existed.”

The mission of Pennsylvania Sports is to attract and host international, national, regional and local sporting events, and showcase Pennsylvania as a viable sports event destination for professional, collegiate, interscholastic, amateur, and youth sporting ventures, which will foster economic development, and enrich the quality of life in the Commonwealth, making it a better place to visit, live, work, and play.