POST FALLS — The new PEAK Health and Wellness Center mirrors the rapid growth of both Post Falls and the popularity of pickleball, according to managing partner Gary Retter.

The 50,000-square-foot facility on Fennecus Road, which hosted an open house Thursday, represents a $16 million investment for the locally-owned fitness chain that also operates centers in Coeur d'Alene and Hayden.

"We outgrew the old building and we needed more space for everything, for pickleball, for the weight room, everything," Retter said.

Since opening in late August, the center has added 550 new memberships while transferring existing customers from its former Polston Avenue location. The facility features wet and dry saunas, a cold plunge pool and 12 pickleball courts — eight indoor and four outdoor. A recent tournament attracted 300 players.

"We're just happy to be a bigger presence in Post Falls," Retter said. "We've been around since 1981 and we're not going anywhere and we're locally owned. This is our community."

While acknowledging rising costs since the project's inception, Retter remains confident in the expansion's value.

Among the facility's regular visitors is John Kelly, a newcomer to the area who plays pickleball almost daily. "It's the best thing in the area," Kelly said.

During a break from play, Kelly and fellow player Rowena Sinclair-Long discussed the amenities, with Sinclair-Long just learning about the recovery facilities.

"The ice bath is actually calling my name," Kelly said with a laugh.

    PEAK Health and Wellness Center owners Jim Doty, Gary Retter, Chip Althen and Jack Tawney stand by the new pickleball courts Thursday at the expansive new facility in Post Falls. The Fennecus Road location replaced the Polston Avenue location in late August.
  

    The changing area at the expansive Fennecus Road PEAK Health and Wellness Center.
  

    Chris Cheeley and Bob Zurcher were pickleball partners in a class Thursday at the PEAK Health and Wellness Center on Fennecus Road. The larger facility opened over the summer and has already added 550 new members.