New Ownership for Asheville Racquet and Fitness Club

Home > Business Directory > Fitness and Martial Arts

’)

by Asheville Now
on Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Dennis Hulsing of Hulsing Hotels, Inc. has announced that he has purchased the Asheville Racquet Club and Fitness Center at 200 Racquet Club Road, Asheville, NC 28803. The athletic and tennis complex was owned by Buster and Karen Brown of Asheville who constructed the business 36 years ago.

Hulsing, who moved to Asheville in 1999 with his wife Jill and two sons, currently owns three hotels in Asheville: Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort, Four Points by Sheraton Asheville Downtown and Clarion Inn Asheville Airport. He also owns Chop House Asheville Downtown, located inside the Four Points by Sheraton and several medical companies: Reliable Medical Supply, Mountain Area Sleep and Respiratory and Accucare. His businesses go beyond the Asheville area including hotels in TN, VA, KS, MO as well as a medical company in KS. The corporate office for all the companies is located in Asheville where Hulsing currently still resides.

Hulsing comments, "We are purchasing the Asheville Racquet Club because it has been my goal since moving to this area to assure that our City is thought of as a Tennis Destination. The expansion of the tennis facilities at the Crowne Plaza Resort has been a huge step in that direction". His current facilities at the Crowne Plaza Tennis and Golf Resort offer 20 new tennis courts, both indoor and outdoor in addition to a new pool and covered pavilion and a new fitness and wellness center currently under construction with a completion date of August of this year.

Hulsing is purchasing the club and the property encompassing it from Buster and Karen Brown of Asheville, who they have known for several years through their membership with the Club and other civic organizations. Hulsing adds, "We have a strong tie to Asheville Racquet and Fitness Club. Our kids have grown up going to the pool and we all have played tennis there as a family. Jill and I hope to revitalize the property and continue making memories for members and their families just as Buster and Karen have made possible for so many years. It's an exciting time for our company and plans are in the developmental stages for upgrades to the facility in the next year and to truly make it something special. It's important though to gather input from the current members to see what's important to them. A letter will be mailed out this week to all of ARC'S members requesting input on the services, staff and facilities they currently have, as well as what members would like to see changed. After we have had a chance to review the member's feedback, we plan on putting together a comprehensive services and renovation plan. Overall, both facilities will have top notch tennis courts, state of the art fitness and wellness facilities and high quality staff to operate and run the programs. Our members will have a choice on the club they want to join and can join both if they wish. On April 23rd, an Open House will be held from 5:30 - 7:30pm where we will lay out our plans to the current membership and those interested in becoming a member.

"I see this purchase as a huge step in the right direction for the city. By combining the two clubs and enhancing them, we will have 46 indoor and outdoor tennis courts that will enable us to attract a number of major tournaments throughout the year. It could drive a lot of revenue for Asheville overall, but especially for the tourism industry. We have already been working with the city on major tennis tournaments from the Southern Region and from USTA-NC who are looking our way in 2011 and 2012."

For more information about the purchase, please call Angela Beattie at 828-285-2661.