WESTLAND — Hype Athletics, a Dearborn Heights community center dedicated to engaging the community through physical and educational programs, has opened a second location in Westland. 

“The idea is to take the brand of Hype, with its programs and services, and offer them to different communities in that area,” said Ali Sayed, the centers’ founder. 

Hype provides center programs and services like fitness and health courses, after school tutoring and ACT/SAT support. 

The new facility, which has been open for just over a month, include three basketball courts, which can be converted to accommodate other sports, and a large pool. 

It also features an exercise studio, cardio rooms, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, lockers and a large banquet room where weddings, parties and community events can be held. 

Sayed said the center’s popular programs include fitness classes like yoga, Zumba and basketball classes. 

According to Sayed, many community centers in the area are closing, due to lack of funding to sustain them. However, the non-profit facility is thriving due to its different business model. 

“When you develop a business model around programs and services, you identify potential revenue streams,” Sayed said. “It’s much more lucrative to generate revenue that way.”

He added that the center is attracts people from many surrounding communities, of every age and background.  

With close ties to various levels of government, the center works with schools to offer, for example, after school programs, student access and a special education program for students 18 to 25 years old.

Sayed said he is thankful for the close relationship Hype has with the cities of Wayne and Westland.  

“They have been extremely positive and supportive and great team to work with,” he said. 

In the future, Sayed would like to expand to other communities and renovate municipal buildings, making them successful and sustainable for physical and academic services.