7. Southpointe ice arena acquired
For the first 22 years of its life, Southpointe’s Iceoplex was a practice facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as a regional venue for various sports instructional classes and youth and adult leagues for hockey and other sports before becoming beset by financial problems. After its purchase in February by Chevy Chase, Md.-based Blackstreet Capital Holdings, the facility gained a new lease on life and a new name, Printscape Arena at Southpointe. Blackstreet’s Black Bear Sports Group focuses on turning around financially troubled arenas that operate in National Hockey League franchise strongholds. In addition to continuing the slate of hockey and ice skating as well as numerous other turf sports offerings, the new owners are planning trade shows, concerts and mixed martial arts fighting competitons, projecting that the venue will draw 800,000 people annually from a 30-mile radius.
Despite its out-of-town ownership, the arena maintains strong local ties. In addition to locally based Printscape’s purchase of naming rights, it also attracted a Bubba’s Burghers and Beer restaurant in place of the former BLVD Pub and Kitchen.