Two fitness clubs join forces

Photo: Bill Everitt

The Penticton Racquet Club at 201 Okanagan Ave. East.

After 27 years at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Lakeside Fitness is uprooting and moving to the Penticton Racquet Club.

The move will take place around April 15 and any Lakeside Fitness members with passes valid until April 30 will be honoured at the new facility located at 201 Okanagan Ave. East. 

The Penticton Racquet Club is a bigger space and memberships include access to the squash and racquetball courts. There is also a women-only area and a restaurant/lounge that is open for lunch.

Lakeside Fitness is bringing equipment, instructors and owners Jim and Marianne Clarke will still be there training, leading classes and helping out as they always did at the Lakeside.  

"We'll have the same atmosphere that we had (at Lakeside Fitness) over there," said owner Jim Clarke. "It's more space, it's a new venture, a new start. It's getting together with another local family... and as far as our members go, it's going to be a good experience for them."

What is lost in the mix for current Lakeside members is access to the pool, which Clarke acknowledged was "unfortunate."

Jordan and Stephanie Iannone, owners at the Penticton Racquet Club are also excited about joining the two family businesses.

Jordan said although his background is not in fitness training, his passion for squash is what got him into the business seven years ago.

"Having Jim and blending the two clubs together is a great opportunity for us," Jordan said in an interview. "My background is I own a drilling company, but I play squash. I'm on the court about four times a week and that's my passion." 

"Jim and Marianne bring that background of personal training and general knowledge."

Clarke said Lakeside Fitness will close around April 15, but members can go to the new facility at any time for their usual workout. Moving the equipment will take place after hours and at quiet times.

New membership plans and pricing have not yet been ironed out. 

Management for the Lakeside Resort did not immediately return emails for comment. However, the Lakeside Resort blog said that Riverside Fitness will be leaving their location at 120 – 300 Riverside Dr. to fill the space.

"In partnership with the Penticton Lakeside Resort, three, five and seven night stays will include chef-inspired meals, lake view suites with access to lakeside walking and biking trails, on-site resort venues and facilities, spa treatments, daily group fitness, cooking classes and workshops," reads a blog post from Sept. 2014.