Hershey Entertainment Complex

The Hershey Entertainment Complex is a multi acre facility in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. It houses Hersheypark, Hersheypark Stadium, Star Pavilion, Historic Hersheypark Arena, GIANT Center, and the former Parkview Golf Course.

The owner of the complex and all of the facilities (excluding the GIANT Center - see below) is the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company (HE&R), based at 300 Park Boulevard in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Hersheypark

The premier attraction at the complex is Hersheypark. Hersheypark is a multi acre amusement park featuring over eight roller coasters and many water rides (see "The Boardwalk at Hersheypark" - below.) Many kiddie and family rides are also included with the parks flat admission rate. Hersheypark is known as the country's "Cleanest and Greenest Park". The sanitation staff is remarkable at keeping everything clean from the parking lot to the queue lines.

Fahrenheit

Scheduled to open in 2008, as Hersheypark's 11th roller coaster, is Fahrenheit. It will have the steepest drop in the United States with a 97 degree drop. Also opening is a small flat ride named Howler.

Hersheypark Stadium

The Hersheypark Stadium is a multi-seat dual-side concrete structure located in the middle of the complex. It seats 15,000 for football and soccer events, and over 30,000 for concerts. It is home to the "Summer Concert Series", the Big 33 Football Classic, PIAA Football and Soccer Championships and other local uses by the local area and by HE&R.

The Star Pavilion

The Star Pavilion at Hersheypark Stadium is located at the north end of Hersheypark Stadium (see above). It only hosts small concerts (up to 7,500) on both reserved seating and General Admission (on the Grass/Hill).

Historic Hersheypark Arena

Hersheypark Arena is one of the oldest standing ice rinks left standing in the United States today. Built in 1939 for the Hershey Bears hockey team, it has aged over the years and forced the company to build the Giant Center at the other end (west end) of the complex. The arena used to host ice hockey games, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, WWE Wrestling and small concerts (seating capacity is about 7,000.) Today it is used for local hockey team practice, as a small concert venue, for youth hockey games, public skating, and as a meeting place for companies. This was where Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single NBA game.

GIANT Center

The GIANT Center, located at 950 W. Hersheypark Drive, is the premier enclosed arena in central Pennsylvania. Built in 2002 as a replacement for the historic Hersheypark Arena, which was aging rapidly and did not have a large enough capacity for events, the GIANT Center is the largest arena in South Central Pennsylvania. The GIANT Center is owned by The Township of Derry.

Emergency Prepardness

In March 2008 the Hershey Entertainment Complex was certified as Storm Ready by the National Weather Service. This is awarded to communites and organizations/compaines that are prepared for Severe Weather. The Hershey Entertainment Complex was certified based on their emergency action procedures, emergency evacuation plans and evacuation shelter(s) capability. The complex contains an extensive system of CCTV Security Cameras, trained security personal and extensive weather spotting and detecting systems. [www.stormready.noaa.gov]