Just 30 years ago, Scotty's Fashions, with 237 employees, was Lehighton's second largest employer behind Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital. It was the fifth largest employer in Carbon County in 1991.

The firm put food on the table of its Lehighton employees for more than 40 years.The Lehighton factory was one of several the Scott family of Pen Argyl had owned. Tighe Scott, son of founder Amelio Scott, said at one time Scotty's had over 2,000 workers.But all empires eventually fall, they say, and thanks to other countries taking away virtually all our garment jobs, Scotty's in Lehighton has closed.Left standing is a sprawling building that couldn't even be sold at a public sale. It was proposed for a housing complex but the developer couldn't get bank financing.But now there's a new use planned for the building.If all goes according to plans, the long, concrete structure at 230 Ochre Street, Lehighton, will become Pyramid Sports Performance Center within a few weeks.Last week the Lehighton Zoning Hearing Board gave its blessing on the proposal.The sports complex, which will have indoor batting cages, pitching lanes, sprint track, exercise equipment, juice bar, and related retail outlet, is proposed by Caffrey-Trimmel LLC, dba Educare of Pa. Inc., Summit Hill.According to its website, Educare Management Services was initially formed to meet a growing demand of educational management needs of the local school districts in Carbon County.J. Christopher West, an executive with Educare, detailed the plans for Pyramid Sports and Performance Center to the zoning board.He said the project will occur in several phases.The factory building contains some 53,000 square feet and has with it three parking lots.Phase 1 will begin this June and contain a nutrition area, office, reception area, and a 3,800-square foot performance area. There also will be a three-lane, 30 yard sprint track. Batting cages and pitching lanes will be part of this phase.The performance center will include weight equipment, benches, and nautical.The second phase, planned for October, will have some golf facilities, an exercise area, and a location that can serve as a child care location for parents who bring their children.A wrestling and mixed martial arts area is part of the second phase.Educare will also locate here during this phase.The third phase, set for November, will involve adding the indoor tennis facility.Phase 4, set for March of 2012, will include the conditioning center.West said Pyramid Sports is looking to partner with some ski areas for conditioning services.Involved with the planning were team surgeons and the head strength coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, West told the zoning officials."This will be for all ages, children and adults," he said, adding, "We're looking to create a positive training facility."Also representing Educare was attorney Michael Greek who was told that the operation won't be like a recreation center."Everything will be regimented and scheduled," West explained."I think it's a great idea," said zoning board chairman George Petrole, who has a background in athletics.After raising questions about the retail facility, zoning board member Mary Lou Brophy was advised this would be a service to patrons of Pyramid Sports Performance Center.Because it's located in a residential neighborhood, the main restriction the zoning board imposed is that the facility can only be open until 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 5 p.m. on Sundays.It was noted by West that Caffrey-Tremmel has an agreement of sale for the vacant building, pending the zoning board approval.