For Utah Flash owner Brandt Andersen, it all made too much sense.

Sold.

Open Court is now The Factory.

As a precursor to the Gehry-designed project, Andersen, also a majority owner of the NBA Development League for Utah, plans to remodel and convert the Open Court.

An 80,000-square-foot sports training and recreational center in Lehi, it will become the new headquarters of the Utah Flash.

The building, which was acquired for between $5 million and $10 million, will resemble what he called a "postmodern luminescent cube."

To be designed by a well-known California architect, Andersen said the remodel of The Factory, at 4425 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, will start in October and is expected to be done by March.

The Utah Flash is currently headquartered near the Shops at Riverwoods in Provo. Once it relocates to Lehi, the Provo space will be leased.

"We've looked at making it a solid cube with lights coming from the inside, and using materials like specialized types of cable chain link for the exterior. Even though Frank isn't designing The Factory, it will still complement the Gehry-designed project across the freeway," he said.

The Factory will retain its five basketball courts, has added cheerleading space and will be building a 20-yard line football field. A snack bar and dance studio on the second story will be converted into 3,500 square feet of office space and a conference room.

A 2,500 square-foot gymnastics area will also be upgraded, and a retail shop selling NBA apparel will be located near the reception area on the ground floor.

The Factory will be used as an additional practice space by the Utah Flash, which will continue to play its home games at the McKay Events Center in Orem until the Gehry-designed arena is completed.

There are plans in the works to make the facility more conducive to indoor soccer, as well as continue the emphasis on basketball and volleyball.

"This facility has been open about 10 years and has been losing money. The main goal is not necessarily to make money; we hope it can get up and be self-sufficient," Andersen said. "But the main goal is to provide a service to the kids in the community."

Open Court General Manager Dustin Smith will continue in the same capacity. Smith also works as the business manager for Velocity Sports Performance, a tenant which rents space in the building.

"The Factory's philosophy is that we will make you a better athlete," Smith said. "When you come into this facility, you will leave a better athlete. It's kind of like one-stop shopping for sports training. If you're a sports family, this is where you want to be."

The community will continue to have a place where young athletes can go to work on their skills. The Factory will now become the home of the Jr. NBA initiative in Utah. The initial Jr. NBA Camp at The Factory is set for July 22.

Under the umbrella of the Utah Flash, kids will also have access to camps and clinics put on by Utah Flash players and coaches, as well as one-on-one paid sessions by coaches and scouts from the NBA family.

"We will continue to provide training for basketball and volleyball," Andersen said. "We'd like to add things like a 2-on-2 dunk tournament. We've got Ronnie Price's basketball camp coming up, so we'll have a lot going on."

NEWS BRIEF

Calling all Scouts -- The Lehi Parade Committee is inviting all Boy Scouts in the Lehi Scout District to present a massive Color Guard in the Lehi celebration parades. The committee members would like to see hundreds of Boy Scouts in uniforms carrying their American flags in a huge display of unity and pride. They will be walking behind the Army National Guard flag bearers at the beginning of the parade.

To give all Scouts the opportunity, Friday evening's Miniature Float Parade will have troops from the Lehi East Stake, Lehi Utah Stake and Lehi West Stake bring flags and meet at Wines Park at 5:30 p.m.; for Saturday's Grand Parade all troop from the Lehi North Stake, Lehi South Stake, Willow Park Stake and Traverse Mountain Stake will meet in Wines Park with their flags 30 minutes before parade time.

Scoutsmasters in uniform are welcome but not required to march. Leaders should stay with the boys at the park until the parade is underway. They should arrange for Scout pick up at the high school where the parade ends.