Longtime Lester residents Scott and Dawn Craig hope their new facility, PrimeTime Basketball Academy, will help train and promote local athletes.

In the often overlooked community of Lester, longtime residents Scott and Dawn Craig have opened PrimeTime Basketball Academy, an athletic center offering programs geared toward area youth and senior citizens.

Under the roof of a newly constructed 90-by-120-foot building is a high school regulation-size basketball court where Scott will hold sports clinics to teach youth the fundamentals in their chosen sport. Additionally, the building houses a fitness area equipped with cardio-equipment and a Movestrong functional fitness unit that resembles something from the TV series “American Ninja Warrior.” Completing the facility are a shaved-ice bar and common area outfitted with numerous tables, making them perfect for birthday parties and other events.

Dawn, a stay-at-home mom, and Scott, who works for the Tennessee Valley Authority, decided to build the academy because there is nothing like it for miles and they believe their community deserves a high-quality training facility that promotes athletics in West Limestone.

The Craigs said they don’t think West Limestone athletes are represented enough on area college sports teams either.

“Our kids should be promoted better,” Dawn said. “There are things we can do at the academy that will promote our kids and get them the scholarships they deserve.”

That is why one of their primary focuses at the Academy will be providing sports clinics that establish and sharpen fundamental skills in young athletes. To start, they will offer two different after-school clinics on Thursdays — one for elementary-age athletes at 5:30 p.m. and an advanced training clinic for sixth- through ninth-graders at 6:30 p.m.

Plans are also in the works to start a youth basketball league for students ages 7-12, with weekly games that will last from Sept. 15 through the third week in October. The cost for the league is $100, which includes a jersey. Depending on interest, they also hope to host adult basketball and co-ed volleyball leagues at their gym.

On Sundays, they will provide open gym nights from 7-9 p.m. Dawn will begin offering monthly SilverSneakers balance and flexibility classes in the near future. SilverSneakers is generally a free fitness plan offered by dozens of insurance plans, including Medicare.

There is still time for parents to sign up their third- through eighth-graders for the Craigs’ first basketball skills clinic on Labor Day, Sept. 3. The fee is $50 for the 8 a.m. – noon clinic, which includes lunch.

For more information, go online to www.primetimebballacademy.com or call 256-206-6078. You can also email the Craigs at dawncraigemail@yahoo.com.