A new physical therapy business in Allegheny Township is partnering with the Kiski Area School District.

A new physical therapy business in Allegheny Township has partnered with the Kiski Area School District.

East Suburban Sports Medicine Center opened Jan. 2 at 451 Hyde Park Road in Hyde Park Plaza.

Kiski Area’s official sports medicine provider, ESSMC, signed a three-year athletic training contract with the district in July.

According to co-owner and vice president Michael Tardio, two athletic trainers are on staff each school day to respond to any injuries on campus among student-athletes in grades 7-12.

East City Sports Medicine licensed Kiski area athletic trainers Emily Strama and Nathan Sroka serve about 150 athletes in the district.

“We chose Hyde Park Plaza for its convenience and proximity to the school to treat athletes who need physical therapy. You can walk across the street to the school,” Tardio said.

East City Sports Medicine Center opened in 1984. He trains nutritionists, therapists and athletic trainers in the latest physical therapy techniques. These include physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, vestibular rehabilitation, pelvic health physical therapy, neurorehabilitation, lymphedema therapy, and manual therapy.

Other co-owners are President John Bonarotti and Vice President Marie Bonarotti Reynolds.

Allegheny city officials have praised the new businesses opening in the rural town.

By 2022, four new businesses — a hair salon, specialty liquor store, beer distributor and Taco Bell — have opened in the city.

Additionally, the long-shuttered Hyde Park Plaza was purchased on Sept. 16 by Pittsburgh-area commercial developer and Fox Chapel resident Jeff Paul for $3.8 million.

“It’s great to see the start of 2023, and we have another new business. This will be another great asset for the residents and Kiski Area High School,” said Supervisor James Morabito. “This is the beginning of what we can expect in 2023, when new businesses will open in our town.”

Superintendent Ren Steele echoed Morabito’s comments.

“I am delighted that Hyde Park Plaza is in the process of being redeveloped in addition to the East Suburbs. Hyde Park Plaza is located in the heart of our business district and across from Kiski Area High and Middle School. It’s a great place for a new business,” Steele said.

Clinic director and physical therapist Lauren Brennan has ties to the Kiski area.

Her mother is a student from the Kiski area and Brennan has family in the area.

Brennan earned a doctorate in physical medicine from the University of Pittsburgh and said she enjoys working with orthopedic, post-surgical patients and sports-related injuries. She confirmed personalized blood flow restriction therapy.

In addition to the open treatment area, there are two private rooms. The average treatment session lasts about an hour.

“We average about eight patients a day — it’s great to be open,” Brennan said.

Allegheny City Administrator Greg Primm said economic development is important to the Alle-Kiski Valley.

“The city is always excited to see new businesses come to empty spaces in our commercial area,” Prim said. “We hope they are a huge success and generate the business they need to sustain us for a long time. We appreciate the East Suburbs presence in our business community.”

Town Supervisor Mike Korns said he was pleased to see another business, and said supervisors have been successful in attracting new commercial properties to the town.

Korns praised Paul’s recent improvements to Hyde Park Plaza and said Paul is working closely with the city to achieve shared goals.

I am working with another property owner in town to fill some of the units. “I think a new tenant, ESSMC, will help us attract other tenants in some of our other vacant properties,” Korns said.

In addition to the Allegheny City location, East Suburban Sports Medicine Center has seven other physical therapy centers in Greensburg, Penn Hills, Penn Township, Plum, Monroeville, Murrysville and North Huntingdon.