Forest City Community Center Introduce
The Forest City Community Center, located in the dynamic Great Lakes region of Illinois, stands as a central hub for fitness, recreation, and community connection. Operating far beyond the scope of a simple neighborhood center, this facility provides essential resources tailored to support the active lifestyles of local residents, especially those connected to the Naval Station Great Lakes and the surrounding Lake County area. It is a place where health goals are pursued, family needs are accommodated, and community events flourish, all within a welcoming and accessible environment.
As a dedicated local gym, the center is recognized for offering a robust and well-maintained fitness space. Reviews from community members consistently highlight the quality of the gym's offerings. It is described as being "pretty nice" with a focus on comprehensive equipment that caters to diverse workout routines. Specifically, the facility is equipped with a significant quantity of cardio machines, alongside a varied selection of dumbbells and general workout equipment. This careful curation of resources ensures that members can engage in effective strength training, endurance work, and overall conditioning without needing to navigate an overly vast or intimidating space. The center’s operational hours, generally observed from 0700 (7:00 AM) to 2000 (8:00 PM) Monday through Friday, provide a dependable window for busy Illinois residents to prioritize their health and wellness routines. While closed on Sundays, the consistent weekday and Saturday hours allow for flexible scheduling for fitness enthusiasts.
However, the value of the Forest City Community Center extends significantly beyond the weight rack. Its identity as a true community center means it provides valuable support services that enhance the quality of life for families in the Great Lakes, IL area. This focus on holistic well-being—not just physical health—is what truly makes it a distinctive and essential local institution. The facility supports both personal development and social engagement, making it a foundation for the health and vitality of its dedicated user base in northern Illinois.
Location and Accessibility
The Forest City Community Center is conveniently located within the Great Lakes, Illinois community, positioned to be easily accessible to its primary users. Its address serves as a beacon for local residents seeking high-quality fitness and social resources without excessive travel.
Address: 2007 Virginia Ave, Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA
The location on Virginia Avenue is central to the residential areas it serves, minimizing commute times and making regular visits practical. A key feature of the Forest City Community Center is its commitment to accessibility for all members of the Illinois community. The facility is equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring smooth entry and exit for individuals with mobility needs. Furthermore, designated wheelchair accessible parking lots are available, providing safe and convenient parking close to the facility's entrance. Inside, the presence of clean and available restrooms contributes to a comfortable and user-friendly experience for everyone utilizing the gym and community spaces.
Services Offered
As a comprehensive community center and gym, the Forest City facility offers a diverse array of services, primarily focused on fitness, recreation, and family support for its local Illinois members.
- Gym and Fitness Area Access: Features a respectable selection of workout amenities including various cardio machines (treadmills, ellipticals, etc.), a variety of dumbbells, and strength training equipment.
- Family and Child Amenities: Includes a dedicated kids area, which is highly valued by local parents for its convenience, allowing adults to exercise while ensuring children are engaged and safe on-site.
- Venue and Event Rental: Provides a "great venue" space—described as spacious and clean—suitable for hosting a range of community events, meetings, and private functions, serving as a key local gathering point.
- General Recreation Facilities: While not specifically detailed, community centers of this nature often host open recreation activities, which can include access to recreational courts (such as basketball courts) or media centers.
- Supported Community Events: The facility actively supports and hosts various local events, relying on staff and volunteers to provide a vibrant social calendar for its community.
Features / Highlights
The strengths of the Forest City Community Center are rooted in its dedication to being a functional, reliable, and family-friendly local resource in Great Lakes, IL.
- Dedicated Kids Area: The convenience of having an on-site, dedicated area for children is a significant highlight, allowing parents to consistently maintain their fitness routines without the need for off-site childcare arrangements.
- Spacious and Clean Venue: The facility is recognized as a "great venue" that is "spacious" and "clean," making it an appealing option for local individuals and groups looking to rent space for personal or organizational events.
- Balanced Equipment Offering: The gym provides a sufficient variety of equipment, including a good amount of cardio machines and diverse dumbbells, catering effectively to most general fitness and strength training needs for its user base.
- High Accessibility Standards: With both a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot, the center ensures that all eligible individuals in the Great Lakes area, regardless of mobility limitations, can access the facility comfortably and safely.
- Community-Centric Operations: The hours are set to support the community's schedule, opening early (7:00 AM) and closing late (8:00 PM) on weekdays to accommodate users with diverse daily commitments.
Contact Information
For current hours, detailed information on gym amenities, kids area policies, or to inquire about venue rental for your next event in Lake County, local residents are encouraged to contact the center directly.
Address: 2007 Virginia Ave, Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA
Phone: (847) 688-2573
Mobile Phone: +1 847-688-2573
What is worth choosing
For Illinois residents seeking a reliable and genuinely community-focused fitness solution in the Great Lakes area, the Forest City Community Center is an exceptional choice. What is most worth choosing about this facility is its dual identity: it successfully integrates the core functions of a quality gym with the essential services of a community center. You are not just paying for access to weights; you are investing in a supported, family-friendly environment.
The convenience offered to parents, highlighted by the availability of a dedicated kids area, makes consistent fitness achievable for busy families—a critical factor for long-term health adherence. Furthermore, the facility’s commitment to providing a "spacious, clean" venue for events demonstrates its importance as a local gathering point and resource, beyond exercise alone. The positive feedback concerning the equipment variety—from cardio machines to a good selection of dumbbells—confirms that the gym itself is more than adequate for most personal fitness goals. For those who value safety, accessibility, and a sense of belonging in their gym experience, the wheelchair accessible features and the overall clean, well-maintained nature of the facility make it stand out. In essence, choosing the Forest City Community Center means opting for a balanced lifestyle hub in Lake County, Illinois, where your personal fitness, family needs, and community engagement can all be met in one central, dependable location.
Forest City Community Center Details
Service options
- Online classes
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Amenities
- Restroom
Forest City Community Center Photos





Forest City Community Center Location
Forest City Community Center
2007 Virginia Ave, Great Lakes, IL 60088, USA
Forest City Community Center Reviews
basketball
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1The gym is pretty nice. Its not huge but it has a good amount of cardio machines, a variety of dumbells and workout equipment. They are open from 0700 to 2000 Mon to Friday and closed Sundays. They have a kids area which is convenient.
July 20 · Kuuipo TrepanierVolunteer for a lot of events here. I would just say communication may be a little better between clients & management...we've arrived to the location and had to start late because no one came to open the doors for us like they were supposed to but overall great venue, spacious, clean & well worth it.
February 13 · The Nino LifeEquipment is great except for some machines being inoperable. Also there is a basketball gym in the "community" center and is not open for the "community" hm.....
January 25 · Ed GuteeThey really bring out the best types of workouts and help you to push yourself and reach your goals. I'd recommend this to anyone who is looking for a great workout
September 11 · Debra StanleyIt is convenient, clean, and (usually) consistent. The equipment is all on working order and there's a decent selection of equipment.
March 01 · Lynda Nicole
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