Courtsports Athletic Club began as a family-run, racquetball club when it opened in 1978. Today, it is a full-service, multi-purpose facility serving the population of Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
Randy Cummings, the current owner of Courtsports, has been involved in the family business since he was 12 years old. “Joan and Terry Cummings, my parents, purchased the club in 1988, and gradually made the transition from a racquetball club to the full service, multi-purpose facility that it is today,” Cummings explained.
The club was originally named “Courtsports” as a reflection of the amenities offered at the racquetball facility. When the Cummings family bought the club, they decided to keep the name “Courtsports,” “because we feel the responsible business practices of the past accurately reflect our vision for the future,” said Cummings.
However, there are some that find the name a bit misleading today, “since we truly are a multi-use facility,” Cummings said.
Courtsports’ two facilities feature over 2,000 square feet of cardio equipment, 5,000 square feet of free and circuit weights space, 4,000 square feet of group exercise space, two main swimming pools, two lap swimming pools, one therapy pool, five hot tubs, 13 racquetball courts, saunas, steam rooms and a 5,500-square-foot gymnasium. “Our focus is on fitness through multiple avenues to achieve success for our members,” said Cummings.
Courtsports does consider its court programs to be important for the club, but no more so than others offered at the facility. “We run racquetball leagues and tournaments, basketball leagues, volleyball leagues, indoor soccer and dodge ball,” Cummings said.
Cummings practically grew up in the business, and saw his dedication culminate when he became the sole owner of Courtsports in 2013. “As a kid, I worked for the club,” he said, which is where his interest in the fitness industry began. “When I went away for college, I started working for other athletic club facilities, finally becoming the operations manager of Stillaguamish Athletic Club in Arlington, Wash. Within a few years, my parents talked me into buying Courtsports,” he said.
As the owner of two Courtsports locations, Cummings frequently participates in his clubs’ leagues. “In terms of our facilities and programming, when it comes to exercise, I’ve always been more of a Labrador Retriever,” he said. “I need a ball involved to exercise and enjoy it.” His favorite programs to participate in include basketball, dodge ball and occasionally, racquetball.
Cummings believes that Courtsports is very much comparable to most other independently-operated fitness facilities in the industry, but has key features that set it apart. “How we separate ourselves from local competition is that our dues points are between our competition, while our facilities, programs and service is either comparable or superior,” he said.
Cummings also prides himself on a clean and friendly location “that is comfortable for all ages, shapes, sizes, colors,” he said. “Most types of people would feel comfortable using our facilities, which is not an easy thing to say for most fitness clubs.”
As Courtsports prepares to celebrate its 35th anniversary this year, the family-run business continues to make its mark in the local community. “Our vision is to serve the entire Eugene-Springfield market by positioning our clubs as complete wellness centers that provide superior customer service in a comfortable family environment,” said Cummings.
By Sam Rogers
