In the heart of Nesquehoning, a complex has opened to provide high school sports teams, youth and adult leagues and area residents with a place to hone their skills in a variety of sports.

Narrow Valley Sportsplex opened the first phase of the building this past weekend, showcasing batting cages and a golf simulator that will allow individuals to perfect their swings, grow more confident in their athletic abilities and provide for an indoor state-of-the-art facility that most teams in the area have to travel an hour to visit.

Kathy (Kovatch) Reaman, one of the owners of the new facility, said this is an “awesome” venture that she and her family have started.

She and her husband Ric purchased the site, located at 20 Market St., from Rev Group last year in the hopes of creating a hub for the community, as well as to draw business into the former Kovatch Mobile Equipment site. Reaman is the daughter of the late John “Sonny” Kovatch, who for years was one of the top employers in Carbon County, employing hundreds of skilled workers in the construction of emergency vehicles.

Reaman said that this has been an exciting venture and hopes the community will be able to benefit from it.

“It’s taking something that was a loss (in the closing of KME) and saying ‘let’s start new,’” she said. “So much of what my dad did was he was about creating something for the area and it’s different but it is still that same spirit. This is for the community. This is for the kids and for the adults.”

Reaman said that her family plans to remember the past while building a new future at the site by showcasing photos of KME in the building.

The first phase of the building that is now open includes 8,000 square feet of space for seven batting cages ranging in length. It also includes a HitTrax, which provides a player with an analytical snapshot of their swing, pitch speed and allows them to learn how to modify and grow in their ability. There are also TVs so coaches could cast videos of players to show them what they are doing.

It also includes a golf simulator room, which is similar to the HitTrax in that it records distance, ball speed, if the swing was straight or curved and more.

Reaman said that in addition to these two options, the batting cage space, which is turfed, can also be turned into practice sites for soccer and football.

But that isn’t everything that the Reamans envision.

Phase 2, which has an estimated completion date of July, includes a full-size basketball court with bleachers that can also transform for volleyball.

There will also be more space for turfed soccer fields, an indoor walking track, gym equipment, three additional basketball courts, wrestling space and pickleball courts.

She said that it will be a little smaller than the original plans because neighboring business, Bulldog, which leases space, is expanding its operations in fire apparatus repairs and needs additional space.

“It’s going to be something for everyone,” Reaman said. “We’re hoping people of all ages and all athletic abilities can come and enjoy what is offered.”

To learn more about Narrow Valley Sportsplex or to reserve some time in the current operating baseball or golf areas, visit www.narrowvalleysports.com or on the app Narrow Valley Sportsplex.