During the winter months of 2019-2020, skaters at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink race, glided and twirled around the frozen oval, unmasked, close together and unconcerned about getting ill.

But since mid-June, the massive concrete-floored hall with open sides and a high steel roof, off Illick’s Mill Road, has been transformed by St. Luke’s University Health Network into a vast, well-ventilated fitness center. Here, sweating and panting young athletes from across the Lehigh Valley region are invited to train safely for upcoming fall sports.

During the six weeks, the 17,000-square-foot facility will host a bevy of pre-teen and teenage boys and girls, each keeping physically separated at marked workout stations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

They hoist barbells and kettle bells, do calisthenics, stretch muscles, bend and pump to a soundtrack of loud, up-tempo music while preparing for their school’s football, soccer and basketball seasons. Speed and agility drills take place at a nearby tennis court.

This rink rethinking was the brainchild of Bobby McClarin, St. Luke’s Community Ambassador and Sports Performance Coach in the Sports Medicine Relationships division. The idea came to him in early May as he pondered the plight of students who might have to miss training because of the restrictions and risks from the COVID-19 crisis.

“I thought, ‘We need to do something for these kids to get them in shape in a safe setting,’” said McClarin, a former linebacker for the U.S. Naval Academy football team.

High schools haven’t finalized plans for sports training or competition, he adds.

He proposed his vision for a COVID-clear strength and conditioning facility at the rink to City of Bethlehem and St. Luke’s officials.

“St. Luke’s focus is committed to keeping our community healthy, and this program is a great way to help meet that need,” McClarin said.

Approximately 20 to 80 athletes can train at a time. The students attend middle schools and high schools in Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, Northampton and Nazareth. Collegiate athletes and high school graduates transitioning to college sports are also in training at the rink.

The rink is leased from the City of Bethlehem by St. Luke’s through funding provided by the Department of Orthopedics and Sports Performance.

McClarin and Freedom High School Strength and Conditioning Coach Imad Azar lead the sessions, with assistance from Liberty High School Strength and Conditioning Coach Adam Sankovsky and Coach Roberto Diez.

Azar said that the facility gives student-athletes “a huge opportunity to be in good shape before their schools start formal team workouts.”

Freedom Athletics held four sessions on a recent Monday consisting of 180 student athletes.

“This is a credit to the relationship and rapport that Coach Azar has built with coaches, staff and student-athletes alike,” said McClarin.

On arrival, a student’s temperature is taken with a digital forehead thermometer. Each student is asked about exposure or symptoms of the coronavirus.

Antiseptic cloths are used to wipe down the equipment after each exercise or drill.

Participants are reminded often to pump out and apply hand sanitizer.

The makeshift facility is a win-win, said McClarin, adding, “The kids love it, and parents love it.” He said he has received many “sincere thank-yous” for the facility.

When the cold weather returns, so may the skaters to frolic on the frozen ice rink in Bethlehem.

Meanwhile, St. Luke’s is helping build young bodies into stronger, leaner and faster athletes in the safety of an unusual setting.

Information:

https://go.activecalendar.com/sluhn/event/bethlehem- ice-rink-sports-performance-training/