Cliff Seyfried saw a need in the community for a place for local athletes to train indoors. His empty building in the Niles Industrial Park, formerly the home of Niles Packaging, needed to be put to use.
So it just made sense to the Granger business owner to convert the 22,000-square-foot warehouse into a training facility.
“There are a few training facilities in the area. But we wanted to make it a little bit better,” Seyfried said. “We wanted to make it so families could come out also.”
It has taken Seyfried about six months to install Sports Warehouse Michiana, which will hold a community open house 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. It is set to open the beginning of October.
The facility, which can be rented by the hour, features a full-size basketball/volleyball court, three pitching mounds, three batting cages, an infield and golf simulator. It also has bleachers, an arcade, concession stand and lounge with a view of the court for families watching their athletes.
The lounge area, which has flat-screen TVs, can be rented for private parties and events.
Seyfried’s daughter, Madison Seyfried, has been contacting high school athletic directors across the area, which has started a bit of a buzz in the area.
A few area athletes have already tried out the facility and were impressed, Cliff said.
“I haven’t heard anything negative,” he said. “People are just hungry for places to play.”
Seyfried believes the facility will be well-received by high school sports teams and youth leagues and said there is room to expand if necessary.
“Even if it doesn’t work out, it will be a place for me to work on my golf swing and watch the game,” he said with a laugh.
Given the number of young athletes in the community, here’s betting he won’t be perfecting his swing alone.
Sports Warehouse Michiana is located at 1720 Terminal Rd., Niles. For more information, visit www.sportswarehousemichiana.com or check out its Facebook page.