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Thank you for being a part of 40 years strong at the Downtown Athletic Club 

 

This milestone reflects what makes our community so special; connection, laughter, and time spent together beyond workouts. Here’s to the moments we’ve shared and to the many still ahead.

Our History

Founded in 1985 in the heart of Eugene, the Downtown Athletic Club (DAC) was created with a vision to be more than a gym. It was built to be a place where wellness, connection, and community come together under one roof. Family-owned and operated by the Bennett family since its inception, the DAC has grown alongside the city it calls home, becoming a premier health club in Eugene, Oregon.

What makes the Club truly unique is its deep connection to downtown history. Today, the DAC spans three historic Eugene buildings, each with a story of its own. The original Ax Billy Department Store, constructed in 1909–1910 and once the second-largest department store in Oregon, now forms the heart of the Club. Just next door, the former Rex Theater, built in 1905 as a downtown playhouse, was thoughtfully incorporated into the DAC in 1987. In 1994, the Club expanded again to include the historic J.J. Newberry Building, once a beloved five-and-dime store, further cementing its footprint in the downtown core.

Over the years, the Bennett family has not only preserved these spaces but brought them back to life, including restoring the iconic J.J. Newberry neon sign in 2010 after it had been dark for 25 years. Inside these historic walls, generations of members have built strength, friendships, and lifelong habits.

Today, the DAC continues to honor its history while evolving for the future, Our vibrant community offers fitness, aquatics, group exercise, personal training, the Newberry Preschool, a rooftop restaurant & bar, event spaces, and family programs in a place where Eugene’s past and present come together in a truly meaningful way.

Timeline

2026

40th Anniversary Celebration: A ruby milestone celebration honoring four decades of community and wellness.

2025

Milestone: 40th Anniversary on 12/31/25

2023

Renovations made to the 2nd floor, fitness floor. Cardio room had cabinets that were torn down to accommodate more cardio and weight machines, while the other side accommodated 2,000 sq. ft. of functional training space with turf, and new equipment.

2012

Rob E. Bennett took over the DAC after his father, Rob D. Bennett

2010

Restored J.J. Newberry neon sign in October after being off for 25 years

2006

Newberry Preschool opened it’s doors

2005

Marilyn Hinson, Legacy Employee, opened Downtown Pilates in the J.J. Newberry Building

1998

The underground corridor, connecting the J.J. Newberry Building
which houses the basketball court and Newberry Child Care was completed.

1996

Willamette Street was reopened to cars

1994

Bennetts purchased the J.J. Newberry building. This new addition houses the administration offices and was thoroughly remodeled to provide a state certified daycare center, basketball courts, an additional aerobic studio (Studio II), a Pilates studio and an additional cardiovascular area.

1993

The DAC remodeled its facilities and built a larger aerobic studio (Studio 1) in the National Theater Building. It was during this construction that the “Gallery Walkway” was developed, connecting the new aerobic studio to the main level of the Club. A second pool (Fitness Pool), for fitness and exercise, was added directly below the aerobic studio and adjacent to the existing lap pool. Access to the fitness pool can be gained by walking directly across the deck of the lap pool. The fitness pool provides a warmer water temperature, and depths up to seven feet.

1992

Conference and event facility began operation

1991

Construction began to add a conference facility atop the National Theater Building. During this construction the existing restaurant was closed and redesigned to include a sports bar, new dining facility, office space, outdoor deck seating and an expanded kitchen with a wood-burning pizza oven

1987

The DAC purchased the adjoined building, the National Theater.

1985

The Downtown Athletic Club opened 12/31/1985

1982
  • The Ax Billy building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Bennett Management Company (BMC) proposed a multi-purpose athletic facility adding a top floor for a restaurant and offices, a plan which received the bid for development.
1971

Willamette St. (between 8th – 11th) was closed off to traffic entirely for a pedestrian mall

1960
1955

Rex Theater operates continuously as a cinema until 1955, later becoming the Fox Theatre.

1940
1935
1932

May’s Store closed due to the depression. After the closure of the Mays Store, the interior of the building was redesigned to accommodate small shops and offices. The Willamette Street facade was broken up into four separate shops. The second story remained vacant until about 1947 when it was remodeled into office space. Just prior to the completion of the remodeling of the second story, a serious fire occurred on this level, extending down through the first floor which required much of the remodeling work to be redone.

1926

The Schaefer Brothers operated the Ax Billy Department Store until 1926, at which time it was sold to J.C. Brill, a major department store chain, May’s Store.

1913
1912

The Rex Theatre opens as a grand 800-seat movie palace, one of Eugene’s largest theaters

1910

Ax Billy Department Store was built

1905

Rex Theatre was built as a playhouse.