History

March 28, 1976

A few Milwaukee businessmen co-founded, built and operated our very first club in West Allis. It was originally an 8-court racquetball and social club called "The Racquetball Club." At the West Allis club in the 70's you would have found a fireplace, large lounge areas and couches, pull-out bleachers off the glass court, liquor lockers and a single Nautilus machine downstairs. Members enjoyed cocktail and tournament parties while watching national racquetball tours and US champions visit the club.

July 1976

Due to a rapid increase in membership (900!) the club expands to 12 courts and members’ bar.

August 1977

The Racquetball Club Northridge opens with 12 courts and 800 members.

March 1978

The Racquetball Club Waukesha opens with 10 courts a bar, lounge and 900 members.

June 1979

The West Allis Club expands to 16 courts with an outdoor pool and is renamed West Allis Racquetball and Fitness Club.

March 1980

The club owners meet several other club owners in Chicago to form IHRSA – International Health & Racquet Sports Club Association. IHRSA is the most respected club group organization in the industry and is made up of over 9,750+ high quality athletic clubs and 740 supplier companies in 78 countries worldwide.

June 1983

West Allis outdoor pool enclosed. Clubs change name to West Allis, Northridge and Waukesha Athletic Clubs.

November 1985

Waukesha adds indoor pool and whirlpool, expands locker rooms and adds additional fitness space.

1985-1990

Clubs continue to add members, fitness equipment and expanded fitness programs.

June 1997

Negotiations begin with Froedtert Hospital and Creative Rehabilitation to develop a new club at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa.

June 1998

The old Club Universe real estate in Greenfield/Hales Corners is purchased and remodeled. Club names change to Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC).

September 1998

WAC Greenfield/Hales Corners opens.

May 1999

A firehouse from the early 1900s is redesigned to house WAC Wauwatosa.

July 1999

WAC in Downtown Milwaukee opens in the 6th floor of the 411 Building on Wisconsin Avenue.

March 2000

IHRSA names WAC “Number One Racquetball Club in the Nation!”

Summer 2000

West Allis and Waukesha remodel and add new fitness equipment.

September 2000

The five WAC's now total 10,000 memberships, 14,000 members and nearly 300 employees.

September 2001

Staff education program, WAC University, is launched.

October 2002

WAC Greenfield expands with 5,000 square foot addition.

May 2004

WAC Wauwatosa club is expanded to over 45,000 square feet making it the largest WAC club.

June 2005

WAC West Allis adds a personal training studio, a women’s only workout area and becomes the first club in Milwaukee to be open and staffed 24 hours a day.

August 2005

New WAC Business Office opens in West Allis.

October 2006

WAC North Shore opens as the sixth club in the WAC family.

October 2008

WAC Greenfield adds a personal training studio.

August 2009

WAC selected to manage Johnson Controls Fitness Center.

August 2010

WAC Downtown undergoes a complete remodeling including new equipment.

November 2013

WAC Menomonee Falls opens as a brand new 47,500 square foot complete fitness center including indoor and outdoor pools.

June 2014

WAC designs, opens and manages the Fitness Center at Kohl’s Corporate Wellness Center.

December 2015

WAC Downtown remodels 6th floor and expands to include 7,500 square feet on 5th floor.

March 2016

WAC celebrates 40 years of fun, friends and fitness!

September 2016

WAC Brookfield opens as a 58,000 square foot club featuring an indoor and outdoor aquatic center, gym, innovative personal training studio, four group exercise studios, state-of-the-art fitness areas and adult playground area. (WAC Waukesha Closes.)

May 2019

The WAC purchases the Lake Country Racquet & Athletic Club in Hartland, adding an eighth location and Tennis programming to members.