Plans for reestablishing a dek hockey rink in Latrobe are one step closer to reality now that the Latrobe Foundation has received a variance for developing the recreational facility in a residential zone at the edge of Legion Keener Park.

“It’s too much of a good thing for the community to pass up,” said Jim Berkey, vice chairman of the city’s zoning hearing board, which granted the variance this week.

The planned rink will be located near the park’s tennis courts.

Douglas Harvey, father of a former player in the local recreation board dek hockey league, described the project as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” From the viewpoint of players and parents, he said, “You couldn’t plan it better. If something needs to be an exception, I think this is well worth it.”

Foundation officer James Okonak said private funding is in place for the rink, which the nonprofit intends to develop in partnership with the Penguins Foundation. The charitable and community outreach arm of the Pittsburgh pro hockey team also can offer clinics and dek hockey equipment to young players who otherwise might not be able to afford it, Okonak said.

“We need to continue to provide outdoor recreation program opportunities for our Latrobe youth,” said Okonak. “We have the opportunity to do so with this program.

“It’s an ideal location to reignite our Latrobe dek hockey program. It will also bring people into our community.”

The rink will be situated on residential property the foundation purchased along Frogtown Lane. A home on the parcel has been razed, but the foundation received zoning approval to retain an adjacent free-standing garage.

The project will have the effect of expanding that eastern end of Legion Keener Park. Okonak said the foundation is working to acquire additional nearby properties to address blight and add green space to the park.

Plans include construction of a building that would house a concession stand and restrooms, with the latter remaining open for use year-round by individual park users and various programs offered by Greater Latrobe Parks and Recreation, area youth leagues and Greater Latrobe School District.

Latrobe has been without a dek hockey rink since a previous facility along Lincoln Avenue was demolished to make way for the new Latrobe Elementary School, which opened in December 2018.

With a new dek hockey facility at Legion Keener, Harvey noted, young athletes and their families will be able to head to a “one-stop” site for engaging in a variety of sports.

The local parks and recreation dek league, which serves as a feeder program for the school district’s hockey program, has since reserved a rink at Twin Lakes Expansion Park in Hempfield for its games.

Residents along Catherine Street, who have rear access to their properties on Frogtown, expressed concern about added traffic on the narrow lane during dek hockey activities.

“I’ve seen people trying to pass each other in the alley,” said Lisa Rellick, whose property has been damaged by vehicles straying off the cramped roadway.

Other residents expressed concern that the increased traffic could pose safety hazards for children in the neighborhood.

As a result, Okonak agreed to eliminate a 16-space parking lot rink users could have accessed from Frogtown. Instead, they’ll be directed to a nearby parking lot at Memorial Stadium.

Okonak noted the foundation is adding surveillance cameras to increase security at the park.

Ideally, the foundation would like to begin work on the rink project this summer. It first must gain city approval of a site plan. The city planning commission previously endorsed the project.

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