Woodlands Athletic Center to be phased out by 2008

05/24/2006
By Tiffany Williams , Villager staff

Despite the impressive sports amenities at the Woodlands Athletic Center, the recreation facility won't be around much longer. The Woodlands Development Company, which owns the center, has given members until 2008 to find a new place to play.By then, WAC programs will be phased out as the Conroe ISD opens a state-of-the-art natatorium in south county.

The center has a 25-yard indoor pool, a 50-meter heated outdoor pool, a Pilates studio, lighted tennis courts and a gym. It is also home to Olympic diving coach Kenny Armstrong and The Woodlands Civic Ballet. Last month, Tim Welbes, co-president of TWDC, announced the company was considering options for the space the WAC currently occupies. He said options include townhomes, condominiums or an expansion of The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center.

TWDC is offering WAC members a discounted sports membership rate to the nearby Woodlands Country Club, located at 100 Grand Fairway Drive. In a press release from TWDC, Bill Langley, managing director of The Clubs of The Woodlands, said the upgrade allows WAC members full use of the club's restaurants, pool and 21-court indoor and outdoor tennis facilities. Wanda Murphy, membership director at The Woodlands Country Club, said WAC members who want to convert their membership to the country club would pay dues of $157 per month per family.

According to a press release, TWDC further justifies the change because of upcoming renovations of the East Course Clubhouse and a future tennis and sports center in the newest village, Creekside Park. However, some residents are trying to keep the center's doors from permanently closing.

Bruce Cunningham, a WAC member and president of the Grogan's Mill Village Association, said the WAC is still a valuable asset to the area and predicts the TWDC's reduced membership offer to the country club won't quell complaints from residents who frequent the athletic center. "It's a facility a lot of us use," Cunningham said. "The members are pretty upset about it."

He said he wrote a letter to the Community Association of The Woodlands' recreation committee asking that the Parks and Recreation department purchase the WAC as a new recreation center. "The WAC offers the finest swimming and diving venues in the Houston area," Cunningham wrote. "Minimal costs of converting to a community facility would be required." He also said the purchase would even the geographic distribution of recreation facilities in The Woodlands.

Currently, the Community Associations of The Woodlands manages the Recreation Center, located off Research Forest Drive. Cunningham said a second recreation center might be added as residential development continues to grow in the west section of The Woodlands. The WAC is located on Winterberry Place near Grogan's Mill Road and South Millbend Drive.

"It would give community balance," Cunningham said. Cunningham called the price increase for country club membership "a significant difference." "Right now, my wife and I only pay about $70 a month," said Cunningham, adding that the adjustment lacks feasible options for residents who don't want to spend more money for recreation facility membership. "The natatorium will be available for school students, but how available will it be for the general public?"

Tiffany Williams can be reached at twilliams@ hcnonline.com