Onyx Club provides country club amenities, without the price tag

Photo: Onyx Club.

HEBER CITY, Utah — Black Rock Mountain Resort’s new fitness and social club has drawn nearly 300 members in its first five weeks — and it’s just getting started.

When Onyx Club opened its doors at Black Rock Mountain Resort on Jan. 14, it already had a head start. Thanks to pre-opening tours and word of mouth throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, over 150 people had signed up before the first day. Tina Polmateer, director of fitness, said the momentum shows no signs of slowing.

“I really think people have been waiting for something in this area where they don’t have to drive into town,” Polmateer said. “If residents have the chance to avoid traffic into Park City Proper or the Junction, it increases the likelihood of using the fitness center and attending member events significantly.”

While the majority of members live in close proximity to the club, Polmateer said Onyx has also drawn residents from Old Town, Pinebrook, Jeremy Ranch, Silver Springs, Trailside, Park City Heights, and surrounding Wasatch Back zip codes who find the drive simple and convenient.

Equipment built for every level

The two-floor facility was designed for both serious athletes and all level of fitness-goers. Cardio equipment includes treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals, Pelotons, upright and recumbent bikes, and lateral ellipticals — a side-to-side machine that Polmateer said trains the body to move in different planes of motion, beneficial not only for skiers and athletes, but great for all day to day functions for any individual.

On the strength side, Onyx Club features Precor’s Resolute Strength Series machines alongside Keiser pneumatic resistance equipment. Unlike traditional strength machines, Keiser units use air pressure to create consistent resistance, and each one includes a monitor that tracks rep count and measures output as a percentage of peak power.

“The hockey players that train here on an elite level absolutely love it,” Polmateer said.

To keep that quality consistent, Onyx Club has a quarterly service agreement with both Precor and Keiser for preventive maintenance.

Two tiers, one vision

Onyx Club offers two membership tiers. The Core membership includes access to the fitness center, sauna, steam room, pool, monthly guest passes and a food and beverage discount at On the Rocks Bar and Overlook Restaurant, both located on the Black Rock Mountain Resort property.

The Elite membership builds on that with additional guest passes, enhanced dining discounts, access to a Deer Valley shuttle during ski season, a discount at on-property ski and gear shop Switchback Sports, and discounted rental of private event spaces — a perk Polmateer said has already translated into real savings for members.

“We’ve had members who have already booked the ballroom and members’ lounge for both corporate and personal events and have saved several hundred to thousands in rental fees.”

Elite members also receive discounts through eight local wellness partners, each representing a different specialty: FIKA Infusion and Wellness, Dr. Kallie Harrison (acupuncture), Pure Sweat + Float Studio (infrared sauna and float therapy), Jupiter Mountain Massage, Everly Grace Whole Beauty, Aura Vida, Wellness Esthetics and PLUNJ Park City. Onyx Club hosts a monthly event with PLUNJ Park City, and Polmateer said the partnership has been a hit.

Because Black Rock Mountain Resort does not have an on-site spa, Polmateer said the wellness partner network was a deliberate effort to fill that gap for members seeking massage, esthetics, and recovery services.

Built for the community, not just the commute

From the start, Polmateer said her vision for Onyx Club was something between a traditional gym and a full-service country club — without the initiation fees, thousand-dollar monthly dues or mandatory food and beverage minimums that often accompany the latter.

“There’s nothing like this in the Park City area,” she said. “We’re offering that country club experience without the price tag, because we want it to be accessible to everyone.”

That social dimension is already taking shape. The club held a member social during a major snowstorm in its first month and drew about 20 attendees despite the weather. Upcoming events include a yoga sound bath, a Hockey Night and, as the weather warms, sunrise yoga on the deck, group hikes, group mountain bike rides and a Mother’s Day event. Polmateer said she plans to expand outdoor programming to take advantage of the trails surrounding the resort.

“A lot of our members live very close by — well, they’re now meeting their neighbors,” Polmateer said. “They’re now going to know people, and you never know who you meet and what they can bring into your life.”

A flexible model for part-time residents

With a significant portion of the surrounding community made up of second homeowners, Polmateer said she has worked to build flexibility into the membership model. Members who will be away for an extended period can pause their membership at no charge, with holds available in increments of 30 days or more. When a paused membership resumes, the reactivation period is also a minimum of 30 days.

For members who split their time between Park City and elsewhere, this means a 12-month membership can effectively stretch across two years of active use — and at the current founding rates, which are expected to increase by April 1.

“I really am trying to acknowledge and work with part-time residents,” Polmateer said. “It’s important to me to do that.”

What’s ahead

This summer, a second pool is under construction at the resort, adding a more resort-style option with additional pool deck space, cabanas and pool service. Polmateer said she is also exploring outdoor recreation partnerships with local golf courses and looking ahead to potential collaborations with pickleball venues and other membership-based clubs for reciprocal benefits.

Hotel guests staying at Black Rock Mountain Resort have access to the property’s dedicated fitness room, but can also opt into the Onyx Club for $10 per person, per day, on top of the existing $35 resort fee.

For more information or to schedule a tour, visit Black Rock Mountain Resort’s website or stop by Onyx Club at the resort.

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