Tag: Cascade Athletic Clubs

Business Relocating

Cascade Physical Therapy New Owners Reunify Locations

Cascade Physical Therapy recently repurchased its former Montavilla location at 9310 SE Stark Street, an establishment that the previous owners split off from their Gresham-based company two decades ago. New owners, Dr. Liz Reynolds and Erika Elliott, are now working to reunify the two locations and serve more people who need help recovering from workplace or automotive injuries, while also addressing general pain and age-related decline.

Jon Schnepel founded Cascade Physical Therapy in 1987 after graduating from Pacific University’s Physical Therapy program and a stint working for a large hospital system. Partnering with his wife, Chris, who worked at Cascade Athletic Club in Gresham, they created a physical therapy clinic inside the gym. At the time, this integrated clinic model was unique in the industry. The distinct but embedded business started within a small space on the upper floor of the gym building. It kept expanding, adding more clients, until it ultimately moved downstairs, where they converted space previously used for a couple of racquetball courts into a full-size clinic that Cascade Physical Therapy Gresham still operates today.

Interior of a gym featuring various fitness equipment including a treadmill, stationary bike, and elliptical machine, along with windows and a television.
Fitness equipment used in physical therapy

When the athletics club expanded into Montavilla on SE Stark Street, Cascade Physical Therapy opened its second location attached to that new space. Elliott’s mother was the office manager of that location, and Erika Elliott worked there starting at age 16, managing medical records and later providing transcription services while attending college. “I would come here at night and type all of their reports,” recalled Elliott. The Schnepels sold both locations in the mid 1990s with the intention of retiring. “HealthSouth was a nationwide company that came through and bought up a bunch of little mom and pop shops in the area,” explained Elliott. However, the national healthcare clinic operator ran into financial difficulties within a few years of acquiring the physical therapy company and closed both gym-adjacent locations as part of the HealthSouth bankruptcy. The owners of Cascade Athletic Clubs offered the vacated spaces to the Schnepels, who returned to the business and reopened Cascade Physical Therapy.

Two women standing together in front of a green plant and wall decor, smiling at the camera.
Dr. Liz Reynolds and Erika Elliott

To stay focused on a single space, the Schnepels sold the Montavilla location to their employee, Julie McAllister, in December 2002, while rebuilding the Gresham business. “She came back here, and it was gutted; there was nothing here. So she furnished it, equipped it, hired staff, and has been here ever since,” said Elliott. McAllister’s business operated under the name “Cascade 205 Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy,” with a name less tied to the original business.  In February 2023, the Cascade Athletic Clubs closed its Montavilla location at 9260 SE Stark Street after nearly 36 years in operation. McAllister needed to adapt the location, which would not have extended gym or pool access for clients. Fortunately, DolFun Swim Academy took over the former Cascade Athletic Clubs swimming facilities and made arrangements to allow physical therapy clients access to the pool. “When Cascade [gym] left, they drained the pool, and there were no plans for it to be a pool again. So when DolFun came and negotiated to take over the lease, the McAllisters were really excited because it meant that they could offer pool therapy again, which is a big need in our community. Not a lot of physical therapy offices offer pool therapy,” explained Elliott.

A small treatment room featuring a wooden shelf with towels, a lamp, tissue box, and a toy ball. A dark-colored stool and treatment table with a white pillow are also visible. A mountain and tree silhouette decorates the wall.
One of three private treatment rooms

After several more years of success in Gresham, the Schnepels looked to pass the business along again, this time to trusted employees who had worked for them for 10 to 15 years. “So they looked at us for a succession plan, started those negotiations in the fall of 2018, and we became the official owners January 1st of 2020,” recalled Reynolds and Elliott. They completed a relatively smooth transition of the business, with the former employees continuing the founders’ work. Then, in the fall of 2024, McAllister contacted the partners about buying the SE Stark Street company and reunifying the two locations. “Julie approached us, asking us if we’d be interested in taking over for her. She felt a call to not just close after being here and treating patients since the 1990s,” recalled Elliott. When Julie McAllister retired at the end of June 2025, the location rejoined Cascade Physical Therapy under its name and business license.

A calm treatment room featuring a massage table, a black chair, and a wall-mounted framed picture of a mountain landscape.
One of three private treatment rooms

The new owners of the Montavilla location were able to extend their existing business into the space while retaining some continuity for clients. “Some of her patients have just carried over, and we kept an employee of hers on board. His name’s Greg, and he’s a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) here, and he’s wonderful. That’s been nice because patients who don’t maybe know Erika and I know his face, and we’re keeping the legacy going,” said Reynolds. They have updated the paint scheme in the space to match the company colors and are working to update some equipment offerings. “We are one of the first locations to trial a new AI exercise program that was developed by Intel and a local physical therapist,” remarked Elliott. “We, as therapists, would program in exercises, and the patient would wheel the machine in front of them. Then it would get a visual of their body while they’re doing the exercise and critique them,” added Reynolds. They explained that it is a tool that appeals to some customers who want their movement reviewed but do not want someone staring at them the whole time. They are still working to integrate this newer technology into treatments, but they are excited to expand the tools they can offer people seeking help.

Interior view of a waiting area featuring black chairs aligned along the window, a reception desk at the end, and decorative wall art.

The Cascade Physical Therapy team is genuinely excited to expand back into Portland, though they acknowledge that running two locations is twice the work. They anticipate more people will seek out their services and want people to know that in Oregon and Washington, patients can visit a physical therapist without a referral if their insurance allows it. Reynolds is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and can work with many insurers. They can work with patients aged 9 or older. In addition to treating injuries or helping with sports training, many people see them for balance issues. Another group of people seeking help has no idea what happened. “Some people have pain, and they don’t know why they hurt,” said Elliott. “We call them the NARs. No apparent reason. Usually, I can figure out why, but they don’t know. It wasn’t like they got hit on a bicycle or anything like that. They just started having hip pain,” explained Reynolds.

A well-equipped gym interior featuring a multi-gym machine, exercise balls, resistance bands, and various workout equipment, with a mirrored wall reflecting the setup.
Fitness equipment used in physical therapy

The Montavilla location is open from 7:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. People needing help on a different weekday can also visit the Gresham location at 19201 SE Division Street. The original space has access to more equipment through the Cascade Athletic Club, which is still in operation outside Portland. However, the SE Stark Street space has nearly everything they need to restore motion or alleviate pain for patients and offers three private treatment rooms, as well as access to pool therapy. The owners hope to meet more people in the area seeking Portland-based physical therapy and expect that visitors living near Interstate 205 will appreciate the location’s easy freeway access.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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New Business

DolFun Swim Academy Opening on SE Stark

Later this Summer, DolFun Swim Academy will open in the former Cascade Athletic Clubs location at 9260 SE Stark Street. The recently shuttered gym will become the swim business’s first dedicated commercial location after nearly three decades of offering classes in private pools and shared spaces. Work is underway resurfacing the existing pool and transforming the now-empty exercise equipment room into an educational gymnastics space. The expanded services will accommodate children and adults, greatly expanding this business’s client base and restoring some gym access for Montavilla residents.

DolFUN’s Director, Stacy Crockett, hopes to open by early July. The existing 13 employees will move to this space when they launch in the new location, and Crockett is still looking for more instructors. Transforming the 20,000-square-foot shopfront will take months of work, but its existing layout works well for their needs. However, Crockett did not lease all of the former gym’s footprint and almost agreed to less. “Really, it was the pool that attracted us to the space. Once we talked with the property owners and discussed the rest of the space, we decided to take on more than just the pool area and expand our programming. We’ve had a long-time vision of being able to open a children’s movement and education center. We’re excited that we’re going to be able to achieve that dream,” said Crockett.

The pool is an essential component of DolFUN’s core programming. The company began offering swim classes to young children in 1994. The current class structure has kids grouped into age brackets. “We work on swim skills with infants into toddlerhood until they’re ready to transition to swimming with a teacher on their own,” explained Crockett. The program leans heavily on a staff’s knowledge about developmental ability within an entertaining environment. “Our main focus is on fun and swimming, learning safety skills through play,” said Crockett.

Part of the available storefront not leased by DolFUN

DolFUN students often remain at the academy for nearly a decade, graduating to more advanced levels throughout their early childhood. “Most of our families stay with us between three and nine years. Babies who come into the program tend to stay with us a little longer. Older kids who start after four, they’ll stay with us for about three to four years,” said Crockett. Parents must participate in swim lessons while their children are young, but children can transition to instructor-only sessions after they turn two and a half or three years old.

Class sizes are small and only increase as students become more confident swimmers. “Our seahorse and turtle classes (intermediate level) class has six swimmers with their teacher, and the other classes depend on the level. For our younger levels and non-swimmers, the classes will have four swimmers to one teacher, and our upper levels will have between five and eight swimmers per teacher,” explained Crockett.

Eventually, Stacy Crockett intends to offer eight simultaneous classes at DolFUN. However, for the launch, the weekend schedule will allow five groups at a time, with just two or three occurring together on weekdays. Crockett is allowing Cascade 205 Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy to retain pool access, but that will limit how many DolFUN classes can take place. The pool will also see use from adult students and tri-athletes as part of the new training programs coming to DolFUN. She also anticipates special event classes teaching first aid and CPR to new parents.

Stacy Crockett’s focus has centered on developing young children’s motor skills. Up until now, that work has occurred in a pool. Now the large open room that once housed exercise equipment will support non-swim physical activity. “When you walk in, there’s a huge open floor. So we’re going to have a big tumbling mat with lots of activities for kids to move,” said Crockett. Two educational gymnastic programs will encompass different age groups. “Sweet Peas is targeted for six months to six-year-olds, and our Ninja program is for five to 12-year-olds,” explained Crockett. Adults can sign up for aerobics classes, with cross-training sessions for swimmers and triathletes. Additionally, staff will create a small workout studio with select aerobics and resistance training equipment.

Starting sometime in July, DolFUN Swim Academy intends to open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the weekends, with weekday classes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday. Crockett expects to add more days to the schedule as classes fill up. Existing students will receive priority placement, and then available space will go to families on the waitlist, but they hope to accommodate public registration soon after opening. Interested parents looking to register their child should call (888) 365-3862 or email DolFUN Swim Academy staff.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Business Closing

Cascade Athletic Clubs Closing on Stark Street

On January 31st, Cascade Athletic Clubs will close their Montavilla location at 9260 SE Stark Street. After nearly 36 years in this prominent storefront near Mall 205, the multi-location fitness company has opted not to renew its lease. Existing customers can transition to the Gresham location starting in February.

Cascade’s Portland location opened on Stark Street in August 1987, just ten years after the original Gresham facility began serving the health-conscious community. Scott Dobson, manager of the Montavilla location, said his facility is the only fully leased gym within the organization. The family-owned fitness company bought the Gresham property in 1977 and is part owner of their Vancouver, WA, facility. Consequentially, closing the Portland location is the most sensible place to cut back costs after a challenging few years. “The Pandemic closed our doors twice for months, and we never recovered, ” explained Dobson. Closing this location allows the company to refocus on the other two sites. Dobson and many of his staff will relocate to one of the other locations. However, it will be quite an adjustment for the team after many years of working in the neighborhood. “I have loved the 34 years working in Montavilla. I am doing my best to run a great club until February 1st, help my staff transition to other locations, and help give my membership the information they need to choose a new club.” Said Dobson.

This change will also complicate operations for Cascade 205 Physical Therapy, an embedded business that uses Cascade Athletic Clubs’ equipment as part of its rehabilitation program. John McAllister, Clinic Director at Cascade 205 Physical Therapy, said they intend to remain at that location but are still working on details. “At this point, we are planning to stay in the building to continue to serve patients in the neighborhood. We are working to have a full assortment of exercise equipment in our space. If we are not able to stay in this location long term with a new anchor business, we will move very nearby to continue to serve patients in Montavilla and inner SE Portland.” Said McAllister.

Scott Dobson acknowledges this is disappointing news for its members, some of whom have decades of experience going to this gym. “It is definitely sad, but I am concentrating on finishing December and January strong and taking care of our members and staff.” The Montavilla location will remain in operation for another month. They are open Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 7 a.m. through 8 p.m. on weekends.

Update February 4th, 2023: Cascade Athletic Clubs’ 9260 SE Stark Street location is boarded up awaiting a new tenant. Interested groups should contact Hanna Realty at 503-774-8893 or info@HannaNetwork.com

By

Jacob Loeb

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