Midtown Athletic Clubs, Chicago, sold its Overland Park, KS, facility to Genesis Health Clubs, Wichita, KS, today for an undisclosed sum, according to Steven Schwartz, CEO of Midtown, and Rodney Steven II, owner of Genesis.
The building, which is in a suburb of Kansas City, had housed a Bally Total Fitness club along with a Midtown tennis facility for several years until Midtown took over the fitness center portion of the club in 2009. Midtown owned the building, and Genesis purchased the building and all its contents, according to Steven, who says he solicited Midtown about the purchase.
The inability to expand the facility to include outdoor space and turn it into a total sports resort coupled with the cost to improve the facility were factors in Midtown's decision to sell, Schwartz says, adding that Midtown is focused on other markets at this time. This club was its only facility in the Kansas City area.
"Rodney is Mr. Kansas," Schwartz says. "This was right in his strike zone, so it's one of those great win-win deals. He will be a great steward for the associates and the Kansas City market."
Genesis has grown from 13 locations to 21 in under one year, the company says. Every city in Kansas with a population of more than 30,000 now has a Genesis club. Genesis has five locations in Wichita, and 13 clubs in other Kansas towns, including Hutchinson, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Manhattan, McPherson, Salina and Topeka. Genesis also has two clubs in Springfield, MO, and one in St. Joseph, MO.
Steven called the Overland Park location "the perfect entrance to KC for me," as he has plans to do additional expansions in the market. Steven added that with the right remodel and addition, the location would be a landmark in Kansas City again.
As part of the deal, Steven will keep the staff at the club. Membership benefits, the tennis programming, group fitness schedule and rates will not change either, but the look and feel of the club will with a planned $5 million renovation.
"The whole club will undergo a major remodel as drawings are progressing now," Steven says. "The remodel will include an expanded entrance, new locker rooms, an updated pool area, expanded fitness area and also upgrades to the tennis viewing area."
Steven says he does not anticipate making additional club purchases this year after a busy growth year in 2014.
"But if the opportunity presents itself, I definitely think that we are capable of even more growth," he says. "I have a great team right now, and I'd love to grow Genesis into some new markets outside of Kansas."
