Our Story
Varied Opportunities for Families
Kids who are active are more likely to do better in school and lead healthier lifestyles as adults. The mission of Westmoreland Athletics and Recreation is to provide as many different athletic and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to our region as possible. Play hard. Hike far. Have fun!
Our Background
For decades, the families in Westmoreland and its surrounding counties have been hoping for a place to provide the kids of our community with athletic and recreational opportunities. We’ve been in need of an organization free from the politics and bureaucracy of the public school districts that make it so difficult to plan for the use of those facilities. But we also such facilities to be more affordable than the handful of commercial sports centers that have popped up in recent years. At Westmoreland Athletics and Recreation (WAAR), our goal is to find the balance between these two types of operations by funding the project through voluntary contributions from the people of our region and by operating these facilities as a nonprofit entity that is far more efficient than any governmental program could be.
Our Vision
Our first goal is to build a sports and recreation center capable of hosting multiple contests in one location. This first project will be constructed on property we’ve acquired in Hempfield Township and will consist of a gymnasium with multiple sports courts and locker rooms as the focus of the complex. But it will also include medical outpatient space, retail space, educational class and conference rooms, and a first-class food court. The businesses selected to occupy the complex will be complimentary of the sports and recreational activities. We will ensure that parents have the ability to be productive while their kids participate in the programs we will host.
The WAAR development plan emphasizes the creation of diverse and accessible outdoor sports facilities. This includes establishing dedicated sites for a variety of activities, from multi-purpose fields to specialized areas for sports like rock climbing, archery, or disc golf, catering to a wide range of interests and skill levels. Consistent with our name, Beyond traditional sports, the WAAR development plan aims to significantly enhance recreational opportunities that leverage Pennsylvania’s natural resources. This involves expanding the existing network of hiking and biking trails, providing improved river access points for activities like kayaking and fishing, and fostering greater engagement with the region’s outdoor environment.
Play hard. Hike far. Have fun!
