Lakeshore Athletic Club

Broomfield gains largest recreational facility in Colorado

By Sara Gerou

Broomfield's new Lakeshore Athletic Club is not just a full-service suburban recreational facility. It's the biggest one in the state.

"It's a lifestyle club more than a health club," said John Terrell, owner of the $15.5 million facility. "We wanted to expand the horizon from the typical athletic club. We're taking a little different approach with things like our exercise and yoga room."

The club was designed by Ohlson Lavoie Corp. and is being built by Pinkard Construction Co. It can accommodate up to 4,200 members in its 84,350 sq ft.

"The overall design is one where we are really trying to accentuate the environment and the space people are in," Terrell said. "We want to have a lot of natural light so people can feel like they're outside and not cloistered up in a little area."

The club is so big that Lakeshore's main gymnasium can serve as a full-size basketball court, two smaller basketball courts or two volleyball courts. In addition to team sports, the club will also offer services such as yoga, pilates, aerobics, swim classes and tennis lessons.

"This facility is one of a kind," said Drew Kraft, Pinkard's project manager. "It's an extremely high-end athletic club and features a lot of things that other local clubs don't offer."

Lakeshore has a full-service internal spa, offering facials, manicures, pedicures and massages. Terrell said that he wanted the spa to be distinctive, "to care for the mind, body and soul."

Lakeshore's most unique feature is the addition of three rooftop tennis courts constructed of post-tensioned concrete slabs with acrylic tennis court surfacing.
"It was kind of an unusual thing. We've done tennis courts before but never on a roof," said architect Donaldo Visani.

The tennis courts are enclosed with architectural screens that act as visual barriers and protection from the wind.

There is children's area - called Kidshore - complete with separate family lockers, a childcare center, a party room and a multi-purpose gym. It allows both children and adults to enjoy the facility independently.

"We made the club so that it is both corporate and family oriented," Terrell said. "The Kidshore area provides opportunities for families that other clubs can't offer."

Lakeshore will include a 50-ft climbing wall built to be more realistic than other walls of its kind. "The climbing wall is a place where you can go and train," Terrell added.
"Then you will feel more comfortable and prepared when you actually go out in the real world to climb."

Other features of the club include a weight room, cardio decks and fitness rooms, a full-service kitchen with deli, men's and women's saunas, whirlpools and steam rooms, indoor lap pool and exercise pool, and an outdoor leisure pool with a 180-ft water slide, pool house and concession area. There will also be space for special programs like nutrition seminars or workshops.

Construction began in August 2002 and will be finished in mid-October, Kraft said.

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