By McKENZIE CUNNINGHAM
The new Premier Indoor Training center just 2 miles south of Hays is a way to give back to the youth of the community, according to organizers.
With high school and college athletes in mind, the center is a way for students to improve in not only sports, but all aspects of their lives.
“Right now, we don’t have a lot of staff,” said Jeremy Schmeidler, owner of the PIT and a Fort Hays State University alum. “We haven’t created a job yet for anyone. We’re just pushing the memberships. We have two access doors for coaches who will purchase access lots for teams. The facilities are open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.”
Memberships can be purchased through a self-service portal at www.thepithays.ezfacility.com, where people can purchase monthly, yearly or even family memberships at fixed rates.
With high school baseball right around the corner, the training center had the perfect idea to help jumpstart the season. Starting Jan. 14, area baseball players began to participate in training tailored to all positions: hitting, throwing and conditioning with Schmeidler.
Sessions are from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Feb. 22. The sessions cost $75 for 18 sessions.
Schmeidler said the push right now in the early going is to get a steady base of memberships.
But people don’t have to be a member to use the facility. The facility is equipped for baseball, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading and dance.
“It is really open for anything. If someone wants to do any kind of event, you really just have to get in contact with me,” Schmeidler said.
With a capacity limit of 299 and not a lot of seating room for visitors, it is really used for practices and helping train athletes.
The facility itself is 130 feet by 210 feet, with turf over a large majority of the area. Other features include a springboard competition dance floor, with a nearly regulation sized 78 feet by 50 feet basketball wood floor with six goals.
Also included are four fully equipped batting cages, along with a conference room and a full visiting area.
“Especially college athletes to come to for nearly 24-hour access with the membership. We are really open to any ideas and really enforcing the training areas,” Schmeidler said. “We may even have some showcases for baseball players in the area in the future.
“There is lots of stuff we can do, we just are really shopping around for people, trainers, coaches and instructors to really take advantage of the area.”
For more information, contact Schmeidler at (785) 623-7360 or by email at thepithays@gmail.com.