Centenarian athletic club shapes up.

The Missouri Athletic Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003, marked another milestone in its storied history when the revitalized West Clubhouse opened expanded and improved facilities to MAC members in mid-2004. The $8 million renovation and expansion gives members another first-class clubhouse befitting the Missouri Athletic Club name.

"The West looks great--our members love the space, the decor, the 'club' feel--which is all new out west--plus the quality athletics, food, beverage, and service which has been the hallmark of the MAC for a century," Nick Lamb, MAC president during the renovation, said. "We have much to be proud of; in fact, I believe the MAC West will now be the meeting place in St. Louis County for families, business, athletics, and fine food and drink for decades to come."

The original MAC Clubhouse is located in downtown St. Louis, literally a stone's throw away from the Edward Jones Dome, where the St. Louis Rams play. Only in the last year has the City of St. Louis reversed a decades-long loss of population. The MAC's Downtown facility is located only a couple of blocks from a vibrant loft district revival. But the majority of the MAC's members live about 15 miles to the west of downtown in St. Louis County.

While the MAC has spent $9 million dollars in the last decade renovating the downtown facility, General Manager Larry Thompson and the club's board realized that the old battleship of a club was not going to be able alter its course fast enough or far enough to satisfy members, who were looking for a family-friend facility.

A serendipitous turn of events--capitalized on by the MAC management and staff--created a satellite facility that capitalized on the suburban/family focus of the club's membership demographics. The MAC purchased the old Town and Country Racquet Club in 1995. Town and Country was part of the extensive holdings of a local real estate developer. When the developer died, his family approached the MAC with a request that the MAC manage the facility. General Manager Thompson offered a counterproposal that the MAC buy the club from the family.

The MAC membership approved the acquisition by an 85 percent margin. The racquet club is located on a major interstate highway, and is within five miles of the homes of 83 percent of the club's members. That was the good news: The bad news was that the racquet club was sorely in need of attention.

Over the next five years, the MAC spent $2 million on various improvement projects, including a new sports pavilion, fitness upgrades, tennis ceilings and resurfacing, and various other infrastructure improvements. The West clubhouse has been extremely popular since opening, which created the need to expand.

In 2000, in order to meet the demands of the membership, the MAC board after completing an extensive facilities strategic planning process with the assistance of McMahon Group, proposed the "New Millennium Program" to expand and renovate the MAC West clubhouse. The members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the plan. Construction began in April of 2003 and took one year to complete.

"This clubhouse has evolved from a commercial racquet and swim facility to a full-service private club in just nine years," Dave Miller, general manager at MAC West, said. The new West clubhouse has added 23,000 square feet and renovated 13,000 square feet of the original clubhouse. The sprawling, multi-level clubhouse has expanded from 100,000 square feet to 123,000 square feet.

The two-level addition on the northwest side of the clubhouse allows MAC West to offer members more amenities, a wider array of services, and better facilities. Housed in the new area of the clubhouse are the locker rooms, which are located on the lower level. The locker rooms feature beautiful two-tier wood lockers. There are several hundred more lockers and additional space in the new locker rooms. The men and women each have their own whirlpool and steam room in their respective locker rooms. The same quality locker room amenities that are offered downtown are available at West.

The updated West County facility also features indoor tennis courts, an outdoor pool and diving area, complete aerobics studio, fitness center with Nautilus equipment and free weights, full-size wood parquet basketball court, volleyball and squash courts, Cardio Theater, personal trainers, handball and racquetball courts, and massage and tanning beds. In addition, a year-round schedule of leagues, clinics, and private lessons for all ages is available, as well as programs for youth including general fitness, athletics, swim/dive, and tennis teams.

"We will still be a family-oriented club, but the West clubhouse will also be able to provide the facilities and services befitting a business-oriented private club," Miller said.

From the portico car drop off to the beautiful new main lobby entrance, MAC West now has more of a country club feel, which will make it a desirable location for the business community. The new restaurant, which is located near the front entrance, is an ideal destination for business lunches. The dining experience at West will be comparable to the quality dining experience members have enjoyed at the downtown clubhouse. A new banquet room allows MAC West the capability to host business meetings, parties, or receptions for groups from 100-150. In addition, the business center located on the lower level features three work stations, where members can plug in a laptop and get some work done while at the club.

Another new addition to the lower level is the hair care center. It is a full service area for men and women.

"The West renovation project has been exciting and not without its challenges," Larry Thompson, MAC general manager, said. "The positive changes will keep the MAC at the forefront of city athletic clubs. I congratulate Manager Dave Miller and his very professional staff for the outstanding way they have managed the West Club through this project. Any of us who have experienced major construction work in our homes or businesses know how tough it can be, especially when we continue to live or work on sight during that time. Our members are also heroes for their patience and understanding."

While the new clubhouse is better able to meet the business needs of members, several improvements have ensured that West remains a family-friendly facility. On the upper level, where the old Cafe MAC was located, there is a new casual restaurant the whole family will enjoy. On the lower level, boys and girls will each have their own locker room separate from the adults. There will also be family changing areas available. A new and bigger childcare area will be housed in the lower level.

The new clubhouse is not only improved inside, but outside as well. New landscaping, a brick and stone exterior facelift to the clubhouse, and 130 additional parking spaces are some of the improvements.

Inside and out, MAC members are sure to enjoy a more 'fit' MAC West. Two outstanding clubhouses make for one great club.