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Recreation Center purchased by Hype Athletics

By Sarah Shurge willing for this next step.
Hype Athletics is here to stay. “The city has entrusted us with
After an almost year-long process, the leadership and opportunity to
due to COVID-19 and processing de- serve its residents. With the freedom
lays, Ali Sayed, Founder and CEO of of this purchase, they are allowing us
Hype, purchased the recreation to do our best to serve the kids,
building from the City of Wayne. adults, and seniors in that center,”
Hype had been leasing the build- said Sayed.
ing since August 2015. Sayed grew up in a diverse envi-
Hype Athletics is a non-profit or- ronment, with a passion to teach
ganization that focuses on providing kids to play sports. Over the years,
communities with drug-free, violent- Sayed’s vision blossomed. There are
free, and diverse athletic events and Hype Recreation Center. now multiple Hype locations and he
programs for kids and adults. city. the building and aesthetics of the is working on national and interna-
In 2001, Hype was created with The sale went through mid-July building,” said Lori Gouin, City of tional projects.
the mission to strengthen infrastruc- 2021. Wayne Community Development/- “I’d like to thank everyone that
tures that support the positive devel- “Under the Hype umbrella, we Planning Director. played a role and voted in support of
opment of the youth in the had to abide by the guidelines of the Sayed explained they plan on this project and the sale of the build-
community through athletics, educa- city; not that it was a problem before. doing a lot of capital improvements ing. It was great to have worked with
tional tutoring, literacy development, But now, in a positive way, we have to the building, such as fixing the the council and administration, who
and social awareness (including: gained full control of the center, and parking lot and painting the outside have been very patient in this
mentoring, counseling, life skills are going to be able to do a lot more. and inside of the building. Along process but nonetheless, determined
training, and substance abuse educa- There really isn't any limitation to with repurposing the aquatic center, to help Hype continue providing serv-
tion and prevention). the service we can provide,” said expanding the workout room, and ice to Wayne,” said Sayed.
For over five years Hype has been Sayed. making improvements to the ban- Hype Athletics is open Monday
bringing the community positive and Hype’s goal since the purchase is quet rooms. through Friday 6AM through 9PM,
productive programs that have been to maintain services for residents, “It's going to take a huge burden and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.
changing people’s lives. and maintain the beauty and im- off the city’s standpoint and free up through 8 p.m..
As soon as August 2020 came prove the beauty of the building. money in the budget to focus on our For more information about
around, Sayed began the discussion “Sayed purchasing the building parks,” said Gouin. Hype, visit hypeathletics.org or call
of purchasing the building from the will give him the ability to improve Sayed is more than ready and (734)721-7400.

The Wayne Dispatch · August 2021 · 11