Now it’s the Spokane Athletic Club

The Spokane Club, a private athletic and social club, changed its name on Wednesday to The Spokane Athletic Club to better reflect a shift in its focus, said Jeff Thomas, club spokesman.

“The vast majority of members are joining because of our fitness attributes and not actually our social (attributes) or traditional club experience,” Thomas said. “This is simply a recognition of the fact that times change.”

The club built its fitness facility on the corner of Main Avenue and Monroe Street in 1967 and has since offered family-friendly fitness programs.

The club was founded in 1890 as the Spokane Club.

It opened at its current location at 1002 W. Riverside Ave. in 1911.

The club’s downtown facilities also include a 47-room hotel as well as dining and catering services.

In 2000, the Spokane Club bought the Central Park Racquet Club in Spokane Valley.

That location now will be called the Spokane Athletic Club at Fourth Avenue.

The club has about 3,300 members.