Located in Mill Hall, the new facility is known as Level Up Hoops and allows an outlet for anyone to come in and utilize the space for an array of sports endeavors such as clinics, practices and games. The facility can also be rented out for parties and much more.

Level Up Hoops offers teams, individuals and groups the opportunity to rent a newly-renovated indoor basketball court.

Owners Mark Myers and Brad Mahoney cultivated the idea of having a space for their kids to play basketball as there is not a dedicated indoor gym to play in the area. However, that idea grew into a community asset for anyone looking to play or learn by local instructors. Mark’s wife, Missy, also helps out with running the facility. Despite the gym’s selling point being basketball with “hoops” in its name, the space can be utilized for other outlets.

So far, the gym has basketball clinics in the works, twirling and majorette classes and travel team practices. High school coaches also use the space. However, the facility is primarily utilized for basketball-related uses.

CHASE BOTTORF/THE EXPRESS
Level Up Hoops, located in Mill Hall, is a new basketball facility. It is available to rent for games, practices or special events.

“When we originally did it, we did it for our kids, so they have a really clean spot to play basketball and that is what this is … it is a nice space for kids to play. There is not a place like this in Lock Haven … I think this space leads to other possibilities like twirl and dance, perfect for kids birthday parties and more,” said Mark’s wife Missy, who helps run the facility.

The building was originally the location of Full Armor Fitness. Having been an open space gym, it allowed for remodel to a court-style space. The owners redesigned the space, repainted it, laid the flooring, put up the hoops, finishing up official construction back in May.

Instructors and coaches can use the space for private training sessions but there aren’t any true employees who run the show. The goal, Mahoney said, is to not have an open gym for anyone to just walk in but have it as a way to get someone else to come and bring people with them when they want to use it.

“We don’t really host open gym because it hasn’t worked out. We’ve tried and we all have jobs. Pretty much members, trainers, coaches can use the space whenever it is available,” explained Mahoney.

The owners assure that the facility is constantly locked when not in use and is under constant 24-hour camera surveillance.

Both Myers and Mahoney plan to expand out the facility’s usages with an elementary basketball program and add more clinics/coaching sessions that would be beneficial to the community.

“It is a safe space to play basketball and I think it would be great if there could be skill building locally with clinics, camps and things like that — to start with an elementary program and then go up because there isn’t a space like that here,” said Missy. “I am reaching out to a LHU student to come in and help with a couple programming that we have had ideas about with 3-on-3 leagues and things like that — maybe get travel teams to use the gym.”

The main goal for the Mahoneys and the Myers is getting more kids active and into the sport of basketball since there is now a space to do so.

Level Up Hoops is located at 305 Beech Creek Ave., Mill Hall. Please call (570) 660-9923 or (570) 660-0656 for more information.