Park District Will Not Buy Former Northwestern Fitness Center

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — The Crystal Lake Park District will not be moving forward with creating a community center and fitness area at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare's Fitness Center in Crystal Lake, park district officials announced Monday.

The former "Healthbridge," located at 200 Congress Parkway, closed at the end of last year due to declining membership and moved all of its fitness operations to its Huntley Health and Fitness Center, 10450 Algonquin Road in Huntley

Since then, there's been a push for the Crystal Lake Park District to purchase the property.

On Monday, park district officials said they would not be moving forward with considering the building as a community fitness center and pool since they learned Northwestern is only interested in short term leasing at this time, according to a news release.

Park district officials said a short term lease of the facility would not provide a permanent solution to the community's fitness needs.

"The park district appreciates the passion and interest shown by many residents asking the Park District to keep the facility open. It's not possible for the Crystal Lake Park District to keep the facility open, unfortunately, as it's not for sale," according to the statement from the park district. "In order to channel the enthusiasm for a community fitness center and pool, the park district plans to explore other options to make such a facility a reality."