BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Bethlehem Planning Commission on Thursday approved plans for a 34,000-square-foot addition to the Steel Ice Center at 320 E. First St. — a project that would add a third ice rink, support facilities and a fitness center.

The expansion will include a third sheet of ice without spectator seating, a roughly 6,000-square-foot fitness center and other support space. Planning Commission Chair Robert Melosky called the project “very exciting.”

Tracy Nelson Wescott of Highland Associates said the plans include energy-efficient HVAC systems and LED lighting with controls.

Keith Krem, owner of the facility and vice president of hockey operations for Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth, was part of the team that first presented sketch plans to the commission in October. At that time, Steel Ice Center, which bills itself as “the premier ice-skating facility in the Lehigh Valley,” was seeking feedback on its expansion.

The plans also include a new masonry trash enclosure and stormwater management facilities.

Krem said the expansion is needed because ice time at the center is booked from about 5:30 a.m. with practicing high school and youth teams until late at night with adult visitors.

Steel Ice Center, Bethlehem

He also said St. Luke’s University Health Network operates the gym and has been involved in planning the expansion.

Planners expressed concerns about traffic and parking during peak events, given the location’s proximity to ArtsQuest and SteelStacks. Krem said that even during the busiest times, parking hasn’t been a concern in his 18-year history.

“I know you’ll continue to manage traffic concerns,” Melosky said.

Partners in the business, Eric and Casey Bus, acquired the building last year for $6.47 million from former owner Tommy Schantz, according to Northampton County property records. Schantz opened the facility in 2004 and was ready for new ventures after 20 years at the center.

The commission’s approval was unanimous but contingent upon the applicant meeting the requirements outlined in letters from the city, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Environmental Advisory Council.

Residential building

Also on Thursday, the commission considered a land-development plan for 62-68 W. Union Blvd.

The previously consolidated 0.4-acre lot is proposed for a three-and-a-half-story, eight-unit residential building. One single-family home has already been demolished, with the other scheduled to follow.

According to Kevin Horvath with Keystone Engineers, the project also calls for 13 off-street parking spaces with an entrance and exit from Masslich Street, a dumpster pad and enclosure at the rear of the parking lot, and associated utilities and landscaping.

Horvath said the property is on the north side of Union Boulevard, behind a Sunoco station fronting Main Street.

Ultimately, the commission postponed a vote after determining the submitted plans were for an alternate proposal that was similar to, but not the same as, the building planned for the site.

“It’s a good project, but we have to make sure we follow procedure,” Melosky said.

Horvath said it wasn’t typical to have fully developed architectural drawings at the planning level.

“It’s a unique situation that the city has created here. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but it requires more of an investment up front before things have been fully solidified,” he said.

The project will be reconsidered at the commission’s February meeting.