Rochester Hills Gym May Soon Be Able To Serve Alcohol; Residents Split

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — A gym in Rochester Hills may soon be able to serve alcohol.

Life Time Fitness, located on W. Avon Road and S. Rochester Road, was granted permission to seek a liquor license after councilmembers approved the request in a 5-1 vote last Monday night.

Councilmember Marvie Neubauer was the only no vote. She mentioned that other Life Time facilities have had their liquor licenses suspended and said she's heard from many in the community that they don't want the gym serving liquor.

"I'm listening to the residents. Nobody's in favor of this," Neubauer said. "I went into the community after planning commission and I polled our residents. Not one single person said that they were in support of this. In fact, I was told things like ‘they don’t even serve fake sugar there. Why would they serve alcohol?' 'Why would serve alcohol and then let people use equipment?'"

One resident who spoke during the meeting was also opposed to the idea, citing dehydration issues and concerns with guardians staying within 10 feet of a pool while kids are swimming.

Other residents, including multiple lifetime fitness members supported the idea of the gym serving alcohol.

"I view lifetime fitness as an athletic country club, which emphasizes leading a healthy lifestyle as well as the building of community," one resident said during the meeting. "I think that acquiring this liquor license would just add to the spirit of the community."

The gym now needs to apply to the state for the liquor license. If the state approves the license, Life Time would then be able to serve beer, wine and other drinks in certain areas of the facility, including the pool deck, outdoor bistro and indoor cafe.

Life Time Fitness previously tried to get a liquor license in 2017, but councilmembers at that time denied that request.