Page 6 - The Wayne Dispatch
P. 6

HYPE to buy Wayne


          community center



          By Carolyn Marnon
             For many years, the Community
          Center  was  the  hub  of  activity  for
          Wayne residents, no matter the sea-
          son. Ice skating, swimming, exercis-
          ing,  walking  indoor  laps,  dancing,
          and more.
             The  City  turned  over  manage-
          ment of the building to HYPE Athlet-
          ics  in  2015.  As  a  cost-cutting
          measure,  the  city  had  to  close  the
          community center. Rather than have
          a building stand vacant for years and  their doors, funding will take place.
          deteriorate, that agreement allowed   The  $800,000  purchase  price
          HYPE to run their athletic programs  will pay off the bond the City has on
          in the community while also main-  the property. According to City Man-
          taining the building. The City paid  ager  Lisa  Nocerini,  the  City  would
          HYPE $12,000 per month to manage   only have $45,000 in interest left to
          it.                                pay. The parks millage would cover
             After managing the building for  the interest. The City would then be
          the last five years, HYPE is now in  free  and  clear  of  the  bond  on  the
          the process of purchasing the build-  building. The City would no longer
          ing. The City Council approved the  be paying a monthly management fee
          sale  with  an  $800,000  purchase  to HYPE. The City would no longer
          price. While owner Ali Sayed is nego-  have to pay for insurance to cover
          tiating  financing  for  the  purchase,  the building. Having the building off
          HYPE will be paying the City $3,000  the City’s books positively impacts
          per month if the facility is closed due  the City’s budget.
          to  the  governor’s  executive  orders  “We’re excited and pleased to con-
          during COVID-19. If HYPE can open,  tinue serving the great community of
          the  rental  amount  increases  to  Wayne,” says HYPE owner Ali Sayed.
          $5,000 per month.                  “We’re thrilled to have greater oppor-
             The City is giving Mr. Sayed six  tunities  to  serve  the  needs  of  the
          months to arrange for financing. The  community without oversight of the
          difficulty in obtaining financing is the  City.  There’s  a  lot  of  restrictions
          inability to bring in revenue while the  (with the city). We’re looking to re-
          athletic center is closed. Ali says he  open all off our services plus add ad-
          has four banks that he is working  ditional services. I’m very thankful
          with for the funding quotes, and they  the  city  council  and  mayor  sup-
          all want to fund this community proj-  ported the extension of our lease and
          ect. Once the governor lifts the Exec-  the acquisition.” He concludes, “I’m
          utive Order closing gyms and athletic  thankful  for  the  five-year  partner-
          centers and HYPE is able to reopen  ship with the City of Wayne.”
























          6 · August 2020 · The Wayne Dispatch
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