Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Cool Springs Sports Complex, and Allegheny Health Network Announce Training Partnership

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds professional soccer club announced plans to make the Allegheny Health Network Sports Complex at Cool Springs its official indoor training facility.

The Riverhounds will begin using the facility for training when it opens this fall, taking advantage of its regulation-sized soccer field, gym for conditioning and rehabilitation and onsite orthopaedic and athletic training services provided by Allegheny Health Network (AHN).

“The Riverhounds enjoy one of the best soccer stadiums in the country and we look forward to preparing our team for competition in this new, world-class training environment,” said Richard Nightingale, Riverhounds President.

Allegheny Health Network has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with the Riverhounds over the past several years as the team’s official medical provider. AHN’s Sports Complex at Cool Springs will offer outpatient orthopedic care, diagnostics, and athletic training services in 14,000 square feet of office space complemented by a state-of-the-art fitness facility.

“The Allegheny Health Sports Complex at Cool Springs will be an ideal environment for our medical  team to provide specialized orthopedic and sports medicine care as well as fitness, injury prevention and concussion education and management programs to both the Riverhounds and residents of the South Hills,” said Patrick J. DeMeo, MD, Chair of Allegheny Health Network’s Orthopaedic Institute.

The Sports Complex promises to be a hub of activity for the Riverhounds Academy, a skill-driven program designed to improve youth soccer players through exposure to professional players and coaches in a tiered system based on age and technical competence.

“This is truly exciting for Cool Springs and the Pittsburgh soccer community,” said Dan McGovern, Director of Recreation, Cool Springs Sports Complex. “Our partnership with the Riverhounds will directly benefit the youth of the South Hills, providing convenient access to elite youth soccer programs in their own backyard.

”In addition to catering to professional and youth soccer training, the 172,000-square-foot indoor facility at Cool Springs Sports Complex will feature multipurpose basketball/volleyball courts, batting cages, a high-tech multi-sport simulation center and premium banquet and event space making it a hub for youth sports instruction of all types.

The new facility, designed by Local Design architects and Gateway Engineers, Inc., will be constructed this spring and summer by Martik Brothers.

It’s the second phase of an elaborate renovation that began when Penn Cove Group Capital purchased Cool Springs in 2013 with plans to convert the aging golf center into a modern athletic complex serving a variety of sports.

The grand opening of the project’s first phase in 2014 unveiled Cool Springs’ revamped golf center, complete with a new clubhouse, two-tier driving range, fully turfed landing area, two indoor aboutGolf virtual simulators, and a pro shop. Cool Springs also completely refurbished its 18-hole miniature golf course and opened the Fairway Grille restaurant and pub.

“Our ultimate goal is for Cool Springs Sports Complex to become the premier sports destination in western Pennsylvania,” said Brian Shanahan, Penn Cove Group Capital’s founder. “A strong partnership with the Riverhounds and Allegheny Health Network brings us closer to that vision.”

The Riverhounds will kick off their 2015 season on Saturday, March 28 under the direction of newly-appointed head coach, Mark Steffens, an 18-year USL Pro coaching veteran who won two championships with the Charlotte Eagles.

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