There's a place in Erie county that is bringing people together to play hockey, learn to skate, and promote physical fitness.  

It's the Erie Bank Sports Park on Oliver Road in Summit Township. 

"We're here for open skate drop in hockey, hockey practice hockey games, we're here a lot," said Kate Cameron. 

Rink Operations Manager, Brian Ramm says, "When the park was created was to provide a top level training resource for kids of multiple sports who wanted to train and come and participate in high level sports." 

Ramm takes pride watching youth enjoy time on the ice, and why not? 

He started skating as a child in Canada, making his way to Mercyhurst University to play hockey.

Athletes, like McDowell, and Cathedral Prep hockey players use the Erie Bank Sports Park as their home site.

Hockey is just one of the forces offered at the facility. 

Ramm says there is a curling league that people can come and watch on Saturdays at 5 p.m. 

He also says the park is also home to a Little Penguins Learn to Play 10-week course. 

But what if you don't play hockey, and just want to enjoy ice-skating?

Public skates are offered on the rink every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for people to come out and enjoy this gem. 

"The kids come out and learn to skate," said Ramm. "If you can learn to walk everything comes easy from there." 

Aside from learn to skate options, this massive facility is also home to the Erie Sports Now Fitness and Performance Center on the top floor.

The fitness center is open to the public, and gives people the chance to schedule a workout time via an app, which can also chart progress.

From the importance of fitness, to feet on the ice, this is a gem also utilized by the Erie Otters, a place where hockey tournaments are hosted, the "Learn to Skate" program is popular, and where skills are honed through practice and recreation. 

For more information, here's a link to the Erie Bank Sports Park.