Through the program, called Pittsburgh Community Puck Partners, youth at select Citiparks Rec Centers will participate in a high-energy introductory program intended to teach stickhandling, shooting, and other basic elements of hockey. With each visit, the Penguins Foundation will be donating a full set of ball hockey equipment to the community center to encourage additional programs, games, and tournaments.
Those students interested can then go on to ice skating programs this winter at the Hunt Armory in Shadyside, or continue trying hockey in other formats through the rest of the year such as ball hockey or dek hockey at city Rec Centers or Project Power Play at dek hockey rinks.
"As the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to invest in the growth of our game, we are proud to work alongside such a tremendous partner in Citiparks to bring this program to life" said Jim Britt, executive director of the Penguins Foundation. "Through our combined resources, we can share the joy of hockey with children across our city, while providing access and instruction right in their backyards."
The first Pittsburgh Community Puck Partners program is Wednesday and kids and families can learn about it further at the Citiparks "Track and Treat event" Saturday, October 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at Bud Harris Cycling Trail on Washington in Highland Park.
Pittsburgh Community Park Partners, targeted to grade-school-aged students, is free for city kids participating in Citiparks activities.
"This partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation aligns perfectly with Citiparks' mission to provide young people with new learning opportunities and safe, fun, and accessible recreation. Together we are advancing wellness by activating young people around this important sport, while also providing the young people that we serve with greater exposure to the game of hockey," said Kathryn Vargas, Citiparks' assistant director for community recreation.
The Penguins, in association with the City of Pittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, are constructing a seasonal rink ice rink at the Hunt Armory for public use from December to March. The Penguins plan to use the Armory rink for its Hockey Diversity programming, and kids participating in Pittsburgh Community Puck Partners may also use the rink to try ice skating or join the Little Penguins program.
The first Pittsburgh Community Puck Partners events will be held as part of the Citiparks KidSMART Club afterschool program. These events are Wednesday, October 20, at Ormsby Recreation Center, Friday, October 29, at Jefferson Recreation Center and Wednesday, November 3, at Ammon Recreation Center.
Future events, including public sessions, will be held at Arlington, Warrington, Paulson, West Penn, and Magee Recreation Centers.
For more information on Pittsburgh Community Puck Partners please contact Jaden Lindo at [email protected].
