EDGE chips in for recreation center in western Wayne County
Wayne County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) officials and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking last month of a planned multi-purpose recreation center. The proposed Wayne County HYPE Recreation Center, a collaborative venture among Wayne County, HYPE Athletics and Zaman International, will feature a variety of recreational activities including basketball and volleyball courts, indoor batting cages, a 7,000-square-foot weight room and an indoor track.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Wayne County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) officials and community leaders celebrated the groundbreaking last month of a planned multi-purpose recreation center.
Construction of the 110,000-square-foot structure, located in Hines Park-Warrendale, near the corner of Warren and Telegraph, will begin this month. Completion is expected next fall.
“This project demonstrates what collaboration can accomplish,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “This state-of-the-art facility will benefit thousands of citizens.”
The proposed Wayne County HYPE Recreation Center, a collaborative venture among Wayne County, HYPE Athletics and Zaman International, will feature a variety of recreational activities including basketball and volleyball courts, indoor batting cages, a 7,000-square-foot weight room and an indoor track.
Wayne County EDGE contributed approximately $7 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds for the proposed project, which equals the project’s budget.
Ali Sayed, president of HYPE Athletics, which stands for Helping Youth Progress and Excel, said the new facility will strengthen the infrastructure of the community.
“We see this as an outlet, an environment for our youth and our families which will be free from drugs and violence, ” said Sayed, an entrepreneur, community leader and student at Central Michigan University, studying public administration.
Zaman International, a non-profit-based social service organization that provides food, clothing, shelter, medicine and more to marginalized women, children, infants and seniors, will house its operations at the new facility.
“This is miraculous for me,” said Najah Bazzy, a registered nurse and founder and executive director of Zaman International.
Bazzy said that Zaman International over the years has built up an army of volunteers who’ve worked from their cars, basements and garages providing life-sustaining services to distressed clients. But now those volunteers will have a permanent home at the Wayne County HYPE Recreation Center, Bazzy said.
“The fact that this facility is going to serve both the physical and the psycho-social needs of human beings is outstanding, ” said Bazzy, who was described by one community leader as the Mother Teresa of Wayne County. “It’s nothing short of a miracle.”
Zaman will operate its first food bank, vocational training center and early childhood development center for at-risk children at the new center, Bazzy said.
The mood at the groundbreaking was buoyant and hopeful, notwithstanding the overcast skies and spotty rain.
“This is a fantastic partnership between [HYPE Athletics and Zaman International] that will help the community and the families here in Dearborn Heights and throughout Wayne County,” said Wayne County Commissioner Diane Webb (D-Garden City), who represents Dearborn Heights, Garden City and Redford Township.
The new facility will be available to all Wayne County residents.
Hassan Doghman, 14, who has participated in HYPE Athletic programs since he was six, said he’s excited about the planned recreation center.
“HYPE has helped me to become the person I am today, ” Doghman said. “It teaches youth to live above the influence of drugs and violence, it teaches life’s morals.”
Pat Dostine is deputy press secretary to the Wayne County Executive and a frequent contributor to the EDGE newsletter.
Photos by James Wallace, senior creative, Wayne County Communications Team.
First photo: A rendering of the planned 110,000 square-foot Wayne County HYPE Recreation Center to be located in Hines Park-Warrendale.
Second photo: Najah Bazzy, founder and executive director of Zaman International listens to speakers at the groundbreaking.
Third photo: Hassan Doghman, 14, has participated in HYPE Athletic programs since the age of six. He’s looking forward to the new recreation center.
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