SMR firms up a new athletic center design

LAKEWOOD RANCH — It’s quiet as Gordon Butte, of Sarasota, sweats in a sleeveless gray shirt and black shorts at the Lakewood Ranch Athletic Center.

At this midday workout session, only a few other members use equipment nearby. But the facility, which has about 740 members, generally is at capacity.

“It’s got nice equipment; I’m very pleased with the facility,” said Butte, who has been a member since 2002 and compares it with facilities such as The Duquesne Club, a health and fitness center for business professionals in Pittsburgh. “It’s well suited for the corporate athlete.”

Soon, it will get even better.

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, owner of the facility at 7650 Legacy Blvd. within the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, is moving forward with plans to renovate and expand the existing 11,400-square-foot center.

SMR President and CEO Rex Jensen last week finalized a conceptual design with the project’s architect, Fawley-Bryant. Plans call for a complete renovation of the inside of the existing building, plus the addition of 6,000 feet. The added space will create a classroom near the entrance of the facility and two wings.

Overall, the design will accommodate two more classroom spaces, renovated locker rooms and more space for cardiovascular and other equipment.

Project costs are estimated at $2.3 million.

SMR plans to keep the athletic center open during renovations.

“I think it’ll take 11 months to a year to do,” Jensen said.

Jensen said the improvements are needed to meet demand, particularly for group classes.

“The athletic center is heavily used,” Jensen said.

Jensen had looked at purchasing a park site behind the athletic center from Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 2 for expanding the facility, but decided to hold off on the idea after seeing people using the park and determining there was no cost-benefit to the proposal.

Jensen said he expects to revisit the membership structure at the athletic center post-construction. Changes, he said, could relieve capacity restrictions.

He also expects similar athletic centers and similar facilities to be constructed in new areas of Lakewood Ranch.

“I think we’ll end up spreading it around the community a lot more,” he said. “People don’t have to drive as far.”