Three pools, a day spa, a rock climbing wall and indoor golf are just a few of the amenities planned for the Great Lakes Athletic Club, located at the former Neumaier’s IGA store on Baldwin Road.
Developed by VMV LLC; established by Bob Madole and Paul Van Gamper of Orion Township, along with builder Bill Vermeulen of Clarkston; Great Lakes Athletic Club will make use of the already existing 27,000 square-foot store, and add on to that for a total of nearly 80,000 square feet.
The building will include a mezzanine level on top, for a basketball court, running track, climbing wall, aerobics and spinning studios, a ladies only studio, and strength and conditioning equipment.
Also planned for the complex are: Two indoor pools, whirlpool, 7,000 square-foot outdoor pool with waterslide, sauna and steam room, tanning and massage, indoor golf, racquetball, squash, paddle ball, hand ball, physical therapy, group exercise studios, and free weights.
Great Lakes Athletic Club will also feature the Great Lakes Bread Company, Body Tonic Day Spa, personal training, a swim team, diving, children’s programs, an indoor playground and free child care for members while they work out, and a weight loss clinic.
“We all come from this area and we’ve always drawn fairly well from the Lake Orion area,” said Madole, who has owned University Racquet and Health Club on Lapeer Road in Auburn Hills for 27 years. “Members at Great Lakes Athletic Club will also be able to use the University club, and vice versa.”
Madole said they saw a need for a “multi-purpose” facility in the Lake Orion area.
“I roll by (Neumaier’s) every morning,” he said. “We thought it might lend itself (to the project) really well.”
Madole said the existing building that housed Neumaier’s IGA will be used, along with additions on the back and side, as well as the mezzanine area on top.
“We’re sinking the basketball area, so we don’t get a high profile on the building,” he said. “We did that on purpose to satisfy Orion Township.”
Groundbreaking on the $15 million facility is scheduled for early March, with the center slated to open in November 2003.
“We already have a little over 500 memberships,” said Van Gamper. “People sign up every day.”
“We’re trying to create a facility to serve families,” Madole said. “Pools for the kids, a climbing wall, a PGA golf center…We’re going to have 30 treadmills, over 100 pieces of cardio equipment, 100 pieces of strength training equipment.
“We’ll also have the day spa, with an oxygen bar. It’s almost like a health mall.”
Madole said surrounding businesses on Baldwin Road have been supportive of the project.
“Initially, there was a concern with people who have property adjacent to the site,” said Van Gamper. “But I think there was a misconception (about the project).”
“A couple (of the neighbors) have already joined,” said Madole. “It’s pretty exciting. It’s a facility a lot of local municipalities would like to have.”
Madole would like to see the athletic club work “hand-in-hand” with the township’s parks and recreation department.
“We hope to be good neighbors and an asset to the community,” he said.
The first member of a family to join the club pays a $99 enrollment fee, with each additional family member paying $50. Children 12 and under get into the club for free, and monthly dues range from $49 for an individual to $99 for a family.
For more information about joining Great Lakes Athletic Club, call 393-3085, or 1-866-553-GLAC. Great Lakes Athletic Club is online at www.glac.info.