Nearly a year in the works, the Great Lakes Athletic Club (GLAC), located at the former Neumaier’s store location on Baldwin Road, is almost a reality.
The GLAC is the business venture of former Neumaier’s owner Al Neumaier, Orion Township resident Paul Van Gamper, and GLAC Chief Operating Officer Bob Madole. The 80,000-square foot facility has incorporated the original building on the site that housed Neumaier’s IGA.
A groundbreaking for the $15 million facility was held this past March, and construction is set to be completed in early December of this year. A “Family Fest” grand opening celebration is planned for January, although the club should be available for use by members before then.
“We’re closing in on 1,400 memberships,” said Madole. “That’s about 4,000 members.”
GLAC Communications Director Kim Roeren said that’s about a third of what the club’s maximum membership will be.
“We still have plenty of room,” she said. “About 42 percent of our members are from the Lake Orion area.”
The club will be family-centered, with plenty of children’s activities offered, and a day care facility included for infants from 6-8 weeks old up to children 11 years old.
“We’re having computers for the older kids and a nursery. There will also be indoor and outdoor climbing structures,” said Roeren.
The club includes a family locker room with access to the indoor pool, which will have a water slide and “bubbler” for children to enjoy. The pool will serve recreation needs, as well as being able to convert to a lap pool.
Another pool will be located outside, also with a water slide and with one-meter diving platforms. There will also be a steam bath and dry sauna, Day Tonic Day Spa (with the original location in Rochester), a 1,800-square foot studio, a 1,600-square foot studio and a “ladies only” studio.
GLAC will also feature the Great Lakes Bread Bakery and Cafe, a 30-foot climbing wall, basketball and volleyball courts with an indoor running track, squash and racquet ball courts, and a PGA Golf Center with the Marc White Golf Studio.
“There will be training and golfers can have their swing analyzed on video,” Madole said. “There will also be lessons, and club fitting by Ed Opie.”
Madole said the generous space behind the club will be utilized for three fields for holding children’s summer sports camps.
“We would also eventually like to put in a water spray park,” he added. “We’re really pushing the family.”
GLAC has already signed Scott Kolwalkowski, a former Detroit Lions linebacker, to run one of the football camps. Children’s programs will be offered year-round.
In addition to offering a large assortment of the latest cardio, selectorized equipment and free weights, GLAC will also offer its members “Microfit,” a program of fitness testing and personal training. St. Joseph’s Hospital will also be leasing space on the site for physical therapy.
Great Lake Athletic Club will be open Mondays-Fridays, 5 a.m.-11 p.m., and from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. on weekends.
Anyone interested in joining should stop by the facility at 3800 Baldwin Road, or call 393-3085. There is also a website at www.greatlakesathleticclub.com.