
Olympic Athletic Club
proudly serves residents of
Ballard and surrounding
areas in a casual, yet
highly professional
atmosphere. Our new neon
sign highlights our main
entrance. Created by world
famous neon artist Roger
Legerano, the diver and
clock make us an easy place
to find. The old-world charm
of Ballard is evident in the
exterior of Olympic Athletic
Club. The former hotel,
built in the 1890's, now
provides a state of the art
facility, which is both
friendly and affordable.
Olympic Athletic Club offers
the latest in cardiovascular
and weight training
equipment, along with a
variety of swimming and
court sports all available
to club members 24 hours a
day.
Olympic Athletic Club first
opened its doors in 1979 and
since that time we have
grown to be one of the
premier health clubs in
Seattle. As we have grown
and developed over the
years, we have established
an identity that is very
definable. Our club is a
very comfortable place where
members can be themselves.
We have always strove to
keep a clean and
well-maintained atmosphere
with a staff that is
friendly and accommodating.
At OAC, it is not about who
you are, how you dress, or
what you look like. It is
about the one thing that
actually matters the most,
your health. People of all
ages come to the club to
exercise and improve their
health.
Building History
Olympic
Athletic Club occupies a
classic 1890’s brick
building in historic
downtown Ballard. Charm of
original rooms and fixtures
remain in the modern and
comfortable setting.
The building itself has had
a colorful history and many
incarnations. From its days
as a hotel with card room
and speakeasy, the first
Post Office in Ballard, the
Dexter Horton Bank, the
original Owl Tavern and
later, an Elks club, which
added a ballroom to the
structure. Its walls have a
million stories it could
tell and these photos offer
just a brief glimpse of its
history.
Since
1979, the club’s owners
Jim and Debera Riggle have worked to
provide a state of the art
facility, which is both
friendly and affordable.
Olympic Athletic Club offers
the latest in cardiovascular
and weight training
equipment, along with a
variety of swimming and
court sports all available
to club members 24 hours a
day.
The most unique aspect of
the club when it opened was
having all facilities under
one roof. This remains our
goal, even today. Full
service and variety equals
success and fitness as a
lifestyle. |