‘Carrying on the legacy’: Wisconsin health club buys Peak

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter

LOVES PARK — A Madison-based health club has purchased Peak Sports Club and Peak Fitness in Rockford with plans to carry on the company’s legacy.

The Princeton Club, which was founded in east Madison, Wisconsin, purchased both Peak locations in December.

“Everything that they love about Peak Sports Clubs is all staying the same. We’re just carrying on the legacy that’s already here,” Andy Haugen, president of The Princeton Club, said in a phone interview with the Rock River Current. “They’re just absolutely world class facilities that I’m thrilled with and thrilled to be able to serve these two new markets.”

Related: New Rockford Bicycle Co. owner aims to ‘make Rockford a cycling destination’

All membership rates will stay locked in, and all staff will remain in their current positions, Haugen said. The logo and name will also remain unchanged. Peak members will have the added benefit of access to The Princeton Club’s nine other locations in the Madison and Milwaukee area.

Peak’s founder Mark Banz and Haugen said the two health clubs shared similar cultures and goals to serve the community. Both companies are also family owned.

“I was looking at the long-term future of Peak going forward, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to expand the brand and to keep Peak going for many years into the future,” Banz said.

Banz will continue to offer input in the future of the company.

“I’ll play some kind of role in maybe future expansions, blueprints, design and maybe operational input here and there,” Banz said.

Financial details of the sale were not disclosed, but a real estate transaction shows a $12 million price for the Loves Park property, according to the Winnebago County real estate transfer declaration. The East State Street location will be rented with an option to buy.

Business news: Gannett sells Rockford Register Star News Tower to Iconic Energy

Both Peak Sports Club, 4401 Peak Drive, and Peak Fitness, 4304 E. State St., are open 24 hours and offer a multitude of group fitness programs, training options and other amenities. The Princeton Club will consider new equipment and new exercise classes and services for members, Haugen said.

“Our goal is to come in and support Peak Fitness and Peak Sports Club and try and provide any other additional resources to help them continue to thrive and really carry on the legacy that they’ve built in these communities,” he said.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.