The Merritt story began in 1977 when Leroy Merritt built the Towson Court Club, a workout facility with 12 racquetball courts. Member response was so overwhelming that the club underwent two expansions in our first year of operation. Two more clubs were developed over the next three years to accommodate the growing interest in fitness throughout our region. One of these clubs was built in Annapolis and the other was located off the Baltimore Beltway at Security Boulevard.
In early 1989, Merritt acquired the Downtown Athletic Club. This acquisition served to establish Merritt Athletic Clubs as the most complete fitness organization in Maryland. Between 1989 and 1999, we underwent tremendous growth and change. Our fifth club opened in the Southside Shopping Center in 1999 as an express facility. That same year, we broke ground on our largest club to date, located in Eldersburg. In 2001, we were happy to announce the acquisition of our express facility in Owings Mills.
Our growth has continued. Club amenities include a wide variety of strength training and cardiovascular equipment, free weights, group exercise classes, racquetball, squash, handball, basketball, and an array of club services ranging from massage to aquatics to mind-body classes to programs geared specifically toward children.
In 2003, Merritt Athletic Clubs celebrated the opening of three new clubs: our Canton and Cranbrook locations and the relocation of our Southside facility to Fort Avenue.
With over 17,000 members, more than 600 employees, five swimming pools, more than 300 group exercise classes each week, and 9 convenient locations, Merritt Athletic Clubs is a place where your future takes shape. |
