CRANBERRY TWP — It appears that the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in the township will be in use by next August.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have begun scheduling programs and events at the complex for August 2015 and are anticipating an opening date around that time.

The $70 million structure is taking shape near the intersection of Route 228 and Interstate 79 in Cranberry Township.

The 180,000-square-foot complex will have two ice rinks for both the Penguins and for public use in addition to a sports medical complex run by UPMC.

Rich Hixon, the executive director of strategic planning for the Penguins, said the scheduling events at the new facility is preliminary, but added that he’s already talked with high schools and amateur teams about having games there.

In addition, Hixon said he’s been scheduling games for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program, which is a program for player development for both boys and girls.

Finally, the Penguins official said he is scheduling public skating programs and open-ice times for residents when the facility opens.

“Right now we’re targeting August 2015 with an opening date,” Hixon said.

John Innocenti, who oversees UPMC Sports Medicine, said that “with luck and decent weather,” officials are aiming for a late summer opening next year.