Recreation center proposed in Indiana Township park by Winter League Basketball

Fox Chapel Winter League Basketball officials believe a new recreational center in Indiana Township’s Emmerling Park will help secure the organization’s future and continued growth.

It would also create a more permanent home for the youth and adult program, alleviating rentals at both Fox Chapel Area School District and Shady Side Academy. The league spends about $60,000 total each year to rent various gyms.

“I think it’s really important for us if we want to maintain what we’ve been doing and make it better,” said vice president Marc Reppermund. “If we don’t do it, we’re definitely going to have to go backward and stuffed into smaller gyms. I don’t think there is a way for us to grow and schedule everything because of how sports are out there. There’s always encroachment on gym space.”

League officials made a pitch for the recreation center to township supervisors last month to help gauge support for the project, not to acquire any approvals for permits or land development plans.

League president Luke Rayman said they are in the very early stages of designing the facility. They do not yet have conceptual drawings or cost estimates.

“We’re still in that process (of) getting all of that worked out to figure out exactly what we need,” Rayman said. “This would create a better atmosphere that would better serve our youth, and that’s what it’s all about: creating community and lasting memories.”

Mayor Darrin Krally, a member of the township’s board of supervisors, said the board voted unanimously on Jan. 6 to authorize the league to start project fundraising.

He called it a “win-win” with the recreation center fitting in well with the township’s long-range comprehensive plan. He said it would likely draw attention to the site’s other amenities such as the baseball and soccer fields and trails.

“Emmerling Park is definitely a crown jewel for us,” Krally said. “It’s beautiful … (The center)’s only going to add to the park. Our township businesses are going to benefit, too.”

The proposed center will be treated like any other development with plans needing to be reviewed by the planning commission and approved by township supervisors before any construction could start.

There’s no timeline for proposed land development submissions. The scope of the project will likely depend on how much money becomes available.

Rayman said he feels confident about the center’s creation despite all of its unknowns.

League development

In what started out as an idea in 1980 by Fox Chapel head boys basketball coach Harry Jenkins, the league has become much more than a feeder system to the school district’s athletic programs.

The winter league formally started in 1981 with 10 teams and 80 youths ages 9-15 years old. Its programs continued to grow, and by the next decade, it had 272 players and 34 teams. The adult league began in 2007.

Reppermund became president in 2009 and would oversee its youth programs expand into full K-12 opportunities, as well as its 30th anniversary in 2011 and the use of various software for communication, financial tracking and officiating to name a few advancements.

This is Rayman’s first year as president.

He said there are 125 teams comprised of 789 youths, as well as 150 players total in its three adult leagues, registered for the 2024-25 season.

Games start in December and run through the first Saturday in March.

Passion project

Rayman, an Indiana Township resident who grew up playing in the league, said its focus has always been on developing quality individuals both on and off the court.

“It has held an endearment to so many, for our athletes to build character and player development,” said Rayman, 24. “We really emphasized community.”

The proposed recreational center would be more than just a place to play basketball.

Rayman said plans include at least six multi-use courts that could also be used for pickleball and other games.

Emmerling Park was chosen for its availability and accessibility. The center would be close to the pavilion by the park’s main entrance and parking lot.

There’s some sense of urgency to get things moving.

Shady Side Academy is developing a new school building to converge grades 6-12.

Students in grades 6-8 are scheduled to move into the building in January 2026.

Fox Chapel officials said there is a proposal that would result in the academy’s current middle school along Benedum Lane to be used by the National Aviary for educational programs, research and veterinarian purposes.

Shady Side Academy chief marketing officer Diana Toole said the middle school project is still a work in progress with some details yet to be finalized.

“While we don’t yet have a firm date for when middle school rentals will conclude, we are actively working on a transition plan,” Toole said via email on Feb. 5.

“We recognize the vital role our middle school facilities play in supporting community programs, and we remain committed to assisting our partners through this transition. We have assured the leadership at (the winter league) that we will accommodate their full schedules in the future at Mellon and Curry gyms on our Senior School campus. Our goal is to be as flexible and supportive as possible, and we value our strong relationships with our community partners.”

The winter league rents the academy’s middle school gym for about 200 games a season.

“The puzzle pieces started to align,” Rayman said about needing a new league home. “We knew as a league we needed to do something given we’re losing one of our rentals due to Shady Side Academy building a new school. We’d love to have people help us out and take our league to a whole new level.”

More information about the league and how to help is available at fcarea.org.