Just a few years ago, in July 2013, Newtown Athletic Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania, was in the midst of its “Big Build,” which saw $8.5 million invested into the facility, resulting in the addition of a 41,000-square-foot sport training complex and a four-acre family pool resort.
Now, Newtown Athletic Club is expanding once again, announcing the news of its “Breaking Boundaries” project, which will see $10 million invested into the facility, including a 30,000-square-foot renovation and expansion. It is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2016, and will take about two years to complete, culminating on the club’s 40th anniversary in June 2018.
“We have named this project ‘Breaking Boundaries,’ because we are literally breaking boundaries by physically tearing down the walls of our club to create an even more amazing experience for our members,” said Linda Mitchell, the director of public relations and community partners for Newtown Athletic Club.
According to Mitchell, the project will break boundaries in a variety of ways. For example, the expansion will create brand-new boutique style group exercise studios, each with their individual look, design, feel and purpose. And, “Our exciting Six Zone Program, which allows members to rotate into a loop repeating circuit training session with certified trainers, will be relocated adjacent to the main 12,000-square-foot fitness center,” explained Mitchell. “This will allow for smooth and easy flow from fitness to supervised circuit training.”
Newtown’s adult locker rooms will also be completely renovated and expanded to include features like floor-to-ceiling glass windows hidden behind barriers, creating privacy and natural light. It’s full-service salon and spa will receive attention as well, with its own full renovation. In addition, members can look forward to a 6,000-square-foot “Wellness Wing,” which will house community lifestyle programming provided by Newtown, as well as services and programs from its medical wellness partner, Aria Health.
“With all of this expansion we also have an opportunity to expand our indoor café to include a soft seating area, along with a family seating area and a private room for meetings and special gatherings,” continued Mitchell. “This will all be available just as you enter the building through a brand-new entranceway conceived with member convenience in mind, allowing cars to pull up to a protected overhang adjacent to the curb. Above the café area we are adding an outdoor rooftop exercise deck which will not only house classes, but special events for our members as well.”
According to Mitchell, every single inch of Newtown Athletic Club will be touched as a result of the “Breaking Boundaries” Project.
“A mention has to go to our world-class architect Hervey Lavoie of the Ohlson Lavoie Collaborative,” said Mitchell. “Hervey is arguably one of the top fitness and wellness industry architects in the world and has always been able to interpret our vision with grace, style and incredible innovation.”
The goal, explained Mitchell, is ultimately become a lifestyle club.
“This expansion is one more step along our journey of creating the ultimate environment for an individual or family to immerse themselves in fitness, wellness, prevention, recreation, sociability, friendships and a total community,” said Mitchell. “Our goal is to build the physical framework of that community and fill it with enthusiastic and talented team members who will provide services that exceed every expectation. Breaking the boundaries of bricks and mortar, combined with breaking the boundaries of expectations, is what we hope will elevate us to the next level. And yes, there will be another level to achieve after that, we are sure of it.”
Artist renderings of the “Breaking Boundaries” Project:
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
