I may have played my last racquetball game ever this morning at the Northfield Athletic Club. The club is due to close at the end of the day.
Therese and Jeff Smiens purchased the club in January of 2010 (blog post here), leasing the building from former club owners Kyle and Dale Snesrud (Dale died from cancer last November). The Smiens were not able to make the club work financially and Kyle has not been able to find a buyer. (If you know of someone who might be interested, contact Kyle via one of his two Olympus 24 hr Health & Fitness clubs in Rosemount and Farmington.
It’s a sad day for area racquetball players, as Northfield has more racquetball players per capita than any other town in the state. But it’s a particularly sad day for Eric Pritchard who has worked at the club for over 15 years.
I’m grateful that we’ve had the club for the past 35+ years, nearly my entire life in Northfield. Not only have I had fun and stayed in shape playing a lifelong sport, I’ve met and developed lifelong friends there. I’m really going to miss it.
Background:
- Dec. 3, 2010 Northfield News: Northfield racquetball loses its anchor
- Nov. 2, 2010 Northfield News: More than $8,000 raised and 100 come out for ‘Oh Dale’
- Oct. 30, 2010 Locally Grown: Photo album: "Oh Dale" Racquetball Invitational
- Oct. 13, 2010 Locally Grown: A tribute to Dale Snesrud