Bay Athletic Club to relocate

Courtesy Photo
Pictured is a rendering of the new Bay Athletic Club that is slated to open in early 2026. The club will move into the old bank and bring with it all of its popular services and programs. It will also be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ALPENA — After 20 years of calling MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena home, the Bay Athletic Club will be relocating.

The announcement was made on Facebook by club owner Trina Gray.

The popular fitness club will be moving into the former bank located at 200 W. Chisholm St. at the corner of Chisholm Street and 3rd Avenue.

The former bank was acquired by Thunder Bay Community Health Service. Gray said Bay Athletic Club will work with TBCHS to expand fitness and wellness across the region.

The new facility is expected to open in early 2026, Gray said.

Gray said the club’s core mission will remain the same and the extensive services and fitness programs will continue. She said outside of the hospital, the club will be able to offer extended hours for people who have different schedules and lifestyles.

“Bay Athletic Club will continue to change the lives of people of all ages and abilities,” Gray said. “The location is changing, but the heart of the business remains the same. The new home will feature live and virtual group fitness, expanded personal training, specialty camps, complete cardio, and strength equipment in an open floor plan with huge windows. Bay Athletic Club downtown will offer 24 hours a day, seven days a week access in order to improve the health and happiness of our community all day, every day,”

Thunder Bay Community Health Service CEO Richard Bates said he is excited about the collaboration with the health club and its new location.

“Being in the heart of Alpena alongside Bay Athletic Club will be instrumental in enhancing our vision for TBCHS,” he said. “Exercise and nutrition are critical to improving health outcomes, and this building project is just the start of our collaboration,”

The fitness club opened in January 2006 with huge support from the community. The terms of the lease expire in December, Gray said. At that time, MyMichigan Health will use the health club space to expand patient services on the property and bring on new providers.

Hunter Nostrant, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena president, is committed to the health of hospital employees, their families, and the greater community.

“As a leader in health care, putting roots down in Alpena, it was good to hear that Bay Athletic Club secured a new location to continue fitness access for our community,” he said.” I am looking forward to working with it over the next year as we make this important transition for both of our organizations. The Bay Athletic Club has been a valued ambassador of MyMichigan Health and we will continue to support its mission.”

Gray said the new location in downtown Alpena, has an attached parking lot, ground floor entry, and convenient walking or biking distance from many homes and businesses.

She said the business will remain privately-owned and operated, and open to the entire community. Gray added the club believes that prevention is the foundation of health care and is committed to affordable rates and access.

The 9,555-square-foot building will undergo a 12-month renovation project, beginning in January and the renovation will divide the building into two sections.

The health club will occupy the majority of the building facing Chisholm Street, while TBCHS will have its administrative offices situated in the rear section of the building.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.