On top of the Lakeshore Sport and Fitness Complex in Chicago, Ill. members are treated to a resort-like oasis in the middle of a major metropolis. Members socialize, hang out, tan, eat good food and practice yoga, all on the roof. Called the “Oasis” the roof has become a selling point for Lakeshore Sport and Fitness’ facility.
“We realized that in an urban environment like Chicago, people don’t have a lot of easy, pleasant outdoor space,” said Peter Goldman, the owner of Lakeshore Sport and Fitness. “Frankly, many people move to the suburbs to get this kind of outdoor space. Others have joined country clubs. We wanted to provide a venue that makes it easier to enjoy the summer in Chicago without having to go so far from home.”
The 30,000-square-foot rooftop Oasis is split into two sections — an adult area, where members eat at the café, watch movies and on Thursdays, enjoy live music — and the play area, where members do yoga, personal training and take Group X classes. According to Goldman, additions to the play area will be completed this summer, and it will boast a playground, an open field, a sports court and three tennis courts.
The Oasis serves as a gathering place for the community and its members. “Lakeshore Sport and Fitness is a community lifestyle facility — it is not just a gym, but it is a place where people hang out, socialize and engage in all sorts of activities beyond those normal for a health club. We have ping-pong, summer camps, basketball, swim teams for adults and kids, tennis mixers and leagues, marathon training programs and more.
Along with serving the community in a social and fitness aspect, Lakeshore Sport and Fitness used green AstroTurf to contribute positively to the club and community’s carbon footprint — the AstroTurf has heat shield properties that insulate the building and reduce heating and cooling costs. According to Goldman, being environmentally conscious is important to the club and its members. “The real benefits to us are both psychological — we are doing the right thing — and we think it is part of the spirit of our club that is appealing to members,” said Goldman.
Goldman worked with Chicago Roof Deck to complete the Oasis project, which took around four months to implement. “We [were] essentially looking to make Lakeshore Sport and Fitness a bit more like a country club than a health club and providing amenities like this helps make that possible for our members,” explained Goldman.
By Rachel Zabonick
