Genesis Health Clubs acquires St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club

WICHITA — The 28-year-old Genesis Health Clubs now has an even dozen health clubs.

Genesis has acquired the St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club at 3107 N. Belt Highway in St. Joseph, Mo.

In a press release, owner Rodney Steven II said his goal is to transform the tennis center into a full-service health club in addition to a tennis center.

"You will see a lot of changes to the facility, as we plan on getting started immediately by moving fitness equipment into the club," Steven said. "We will begin working with architects to expand the building further and to accommodate a cardio area, weight room, remodeled tennis courts (courts resurfaced, new backdrops, new lighting) and also expanded/remodeled locker rooms."

Genesis also bought two and a half acres to the north of the current tennis center to accommodate expansion.

St. Joseph native Kyle Taylor, a United States Professional Tennis Association professional, will be a new tennis pro now that Genesis is taking over.

Genesis has five facilities in Wichita, two in Lawrence and one each in Hutchinson, Salina, Emporia, Leavenworth and McPherson.

The chain has experience in transforming tennis facilities into health clubs. In 2001, it acquired the Wichita Racquet Club, which had 2,000 members. Today, the health club on Rock Road – the premier club in the chain – has 10,000 members.

According to the release, Genesis will share part of its future profits from the St. Joseph acquisition with the St. Joseph Tennis Foundation.

This story was originally published November 14, 2013 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Genesis Health Clubs acquires St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club."