When Coppermine purchased the Bel Air Athletic Club, it wasn’t simply acquiring a fitness facility -- it was stepping into a place woven into Harford County’s social fabric. Bel Air members didn’t just exercise there; they built friendships, raised families, and found community. Preserving that spirit while ushering in something new became the mission from day one.
Assistant General Manager Lori Berry said the moment that cemented the club’s future came long before the deal was even finalized. As potential buyers were being given a tour, a longtime 94-year-old member named Marge -- who had been at the club multiple times routinely each week for years -- asked whether they were joining as new members. When she learned they were considering ownership, she began enthusiastically raving about the place she loved so much. “Marge saved the club,” Berry said. When Coppermine later held its ribbon-cutting, Marge was there to celebrate, and T-shirts printed for the occasion displayed one of her favorite sentiments: More than just a fitness club.
That legacy mattered. Marge, who has since passed away, had been part of the club for decades, swimming two miles at a time, taking Zumba and strength classes, and staying busy from late morning into the afternoon. She represented a membership that viewed the facility not as a gym, but a second home. Berry recalled how, after the COVID shutdown, “older people came back sooner. This is where their friends are.” Reopening brought relief, comfort, and connection back to the community.
The official transition to Coppermine began after the club temporarily closed on February 16, 2023. A soft reopening took place in May, followed by a grand opening on June 1. The change also meant a shift from Wellbridge’s corporate structure to Coppermine’s local ownership. Unlike the previous management, Coppermine is based in Maryland and stays closely involved with each facility. “They’re much more involved; they have more freedom to implement their own ideas,” said General Manager Maria Lorenzo. Berry added that Coppermine’s brand is built on two distinct strengths: “As far as their vision and mission, we’re about fitness and children.”
That dual focus has transformed the Bel Air location. Youth programming has surged -- especially in nursery services, gymnastics, and sports training -- while maintaining a strong fitness presence for longtime adult members. “The children are our future,” Lorenzo said, noting that many families have been members for 20 years or more. Balancing growth with tradition hasn’t always been easy. The club even phased out its racquetball courts, once a foundational feature, to make room for modern needs.
Upgrades have helped members embrace the evolution. Lorenzo listed some of the most visible additions: “We have new equipment, new locker rooms, a new personal training studio, our café is back up and running, and there’s hot yoga.” Listening carefully to member input has always been part of the operation. “We listen to the feedback and we do what we can to improve,” she said.
Coppermine Bel Air’s role extends beyond fitness. The club is deeply active in community outreach, hosting fundraisers, collections, and events that support local families. Programs have included food drives for Harford County Public Schools, book collections for summer reading, a coat drive tied to fitness classes, and participation in festivals and local events. Lorenzo highlighted a particularly meaningful partnership: “The Wheelchair event -- we make costumes for kids in wheelchairs… We actually moved the event to the club.”
With Coppermine expanding along the Route 40 corridor, more community partnerships and sports initiatives are on the horizon, including the new Copperplex sports training site. While details are still evolving on the site’s future and presence, Lori emphasized that they’re “working on bridging and becoming community partners.”
Through all the change, the heart of the club remains familiar. Lorenzo summed it up as both a fitness network and a social one -- “a lifestyle change.” Members can exercise while kids are in the nursery, grab a smoothie at the café, visit the salon or spa, or take a Pilates class. “We’re definitely becoming a one-stop shop,” she said.
Fit for Warmth
On Friday, January 9, Coppermine in Bel Air is offering several fitness classes for free and asking for a donation of new or slightly used (in good condition) children’s coats, hats, scarves, and other winter items. They will be delivered to students in need.
Donations can be dropped off with Lori Berry’s name on them or labeled "Fit for Warmth."
Classes
- RIDE – 5:30 PM (Fire & Ice Ride)
- Core Pilates – 5:15–6:00 PM
- Core Pilates – 6:15–7:00 PM
- Turn Up Dance – 6:00–7:00 PM
- Turf/HIIT – 6:00–7:00 PM
- Barre Burn – 6:00–7:00 PM
- Wall Yin Yoga – 6:00–7:00 PM
- Heated Yoga – 6:00 PM
Members and non-members can sign up through Coppermine’s app or by calling the front desk.