Rodney Steven II ‘totally stoked’ about his latest Genesis Health Clubs acquisition

Seven years after Clayview Country Club in Liberty, Mo., approached Rodney Steven II and his Genesis Health Clubs about purchasing the business, they have reached a deal.

This makes the 20th Genesis site in the Kansas City metro area.

“Kansas City is great market for us,” Steven said.

He said he was particularly interested in Clayview for its eight indoor tennis courts along with four outside.

Genesis has two other tennis clubs in the metro area, and Steven said players “literally can’t get a court right now.”

“More people are playing tennis than I’ve ever seen in my whole career,” he said of players at his clubs.

The new club also has a couple of pickleball courts and what Steven called “a gorgeous outdoor pool” with a climate-controlled enclosure that’s up from September through May so members can swim year round.

Though the facility has been known as Clayview Country Club, Steven said it’s more of a health and fitness center than a country club.

He also was interested in it since it’s in the north part of the Kansas City area whereas his other tennis clubs are on the south side of the metro area.

Steven said the area is a big, growing market with 2.5 million people. He said the popularity of physical fitness is growing, too.

“The last two years (have) been pretty interesting in the fitness market.”

Steven said that “COVID was such a terrible thing” that what came out of it is people “know the importance of physical health more than ever.”

He said that’s why he’s so excited about tennis and pickleball providing more opportunities to have fun while being active.

“I’m totally stoked about it.”

Genesis has been on a major growth trajectory for a number of years now, and it looks like that’s not going to end.

When asked what’s in store for 2023, Steven made it clear there will be no wait to find out.

“You’re going to hear from me before then.”

This story was originally published November 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM.