Private wellness club proposed for waterfront hillside in downtown Olympia
A local property owner has proposed constructing The Water Club, a water-oriented country club on a hillside on Deschutes Parkway overlooking Capitol Lake and the future-restored Deschutes Estuary.
Property owner Sean Threatt previously proposed a handful of four-plexes for the property located at 500 Deschutes Parkway Southwest. According to previous reporting from The Olympian, that project faced numerous setbacks and was described as difficult, due in large part to environmental concerns on the property.
According to documents shared at a May 20 Olympia Site Plan Review Committee meeting, the proposed facility is a 20,000 square-foot country club focused on water. It would have a destination wellness and spa program with cold plunge pools, steam rooms, a sauna and a full spa.
There would be treatment services and a fitness facility for members. A smoothie and refreshment bar would be open to the public.
“The facility is structured as a private membership country club with tiered access available to the general public,” according to meeting documents. “Members receive full access to all amenities including thermal wellness facilities, fitness, spa treatments, and priority booking.”
The club would also offer day passes, which would give visitors access to the same amenities as members of the club.
A view terrace of the water and downtown Olympia would also be open to the public, according to meeting documents.
A rendering of the building shows one main floor and two underground parking levels. The maximum building height would be 35 feet. The rendering also shows a set of stairs and a crosswalk to allow access to the facility from the trail around Capitol Lake.
Senior Planner Jackson Ewing told The Olympian on May 22 that the area is zoned residential, but this type of use can be permitted through a conditional use permit. He said that requires approval from the hearing examiner.
Ewing said the site has several factors that will make development difficult.
“Wetlands and landslide hazard areas would need to be evaluated; avoiding impacts to wetlands, landslide hazard areas, and the shoreline would be required as required by the Critical Area Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program,” he said. “This would include both wetland professionals and geotechnical engineers to analyze the site prior to any recommendations made by the city.”
Ewing said accessing the club would also be difficult with the existing roundabout nearby and the proposed 5th Avenue bridge reconstruction project for restoration of the Deschutes Estuary.
He said it was suggested at the May 20 meeting that Threatt coordinate with state agencies around the future dam and bridge replacement project. He said cultural resources would be required to be evaluated as well.
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