The new 17,000-sq. ft. facility with two new hard courts at the Jonesborough, Tenn. property reflects the growth of tennis in the area. Space was also included for a 1,500-sq. ft. fitness center and 500-sq. ft. studio room for classes, which could not be fit into the current clubhouse’s existing footprint.
The Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough, Tenn., recently opened its new 17,000-sq. ft., indoor tennis and fitness center. The newly constructed building, which broke ground in June 2018, is the culmination of several years of planning and development at the 900-plus-member private club.
Tennis is a growing sport in the area, reported Chris Haley, Blackthorn’s General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, and the club features two of the top teaching professionals in northeast Tennessee.
“Our Director of Tennis, John Lucchesi, was the first employee hired when the club opened in 1997,” Haley said. “John has built a phenomenal program with a great following in the region. The development and growth of the tennis program has led to the club investing in this project.
“When I arrived at the club in April 2017, this was the first capital project we looked to complete,” Haley added. “Our current clubhouse layout did not allow for us to add in fitness within the existing footprint, so we developed a plan to add in fitness with the new tennis center.”
The new indoor tennis and fitness center includes:
– A 1,500-sq. ft fitness center
– A 500-sq. ft. studio room for classes
– Lounge area for relaxing
– Two hard courts
– State-of-the-art LED lighting
Along with the fitness component, Blackthorn will offer personal training and group fitness classes for yoga, TRX, boot camps, and pilates in the new facility, and meal planning through a registered dietician who will work directly with the club’s Executive Chef, James Allen, CEC.
Blackthorn Club worked with local contractor, TriCon Builders, LLC, of Johnson City, Tenn. to complete the project.
“We’re a small club in a small community, but we like to think big,” said Haley. “Our goal in everything we do is to provide stellar services, but to do so in a casual, relaxed, and family-centric atmosphere. We try to mimic the culture of our community.”
Blackthorn Club is privately owned and features a 7,147-yard Arthur Hills-designed golf course, pool, four outdoor tennis courts, and a highly regarded food and beverage program. With approximately 900 memberships total, the club has seen a net increase of almost 100 new members since 2017.
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