In a previous blog (The Fields of My Youth – Norfolk), I mentioned moving to Virginia Beach in the late 1990s. Moving meant finding work and finding stuff to do in a new state, which had its challenges pre-internet. I eventually settled in work wise in Norfolk, VA in the downtown area. Two places in fact – The Downtown Athletic Club on Monticello and the Boathouse, which was located at the back end of Harbor Park. I worked at both locations for almost the entire time I was in Virginia, just about 3 years.

On my recent trip back to Virginia Beach, I took one morning to drive out to Norfolk to see what had become of the city and downtown area where I spent so much time. I knew just from doing research that the Boathouse was no longer there. Same for the Downtown Athletic Club, which had closed for business while I was still in Virginia in the late 1990s. I was eager to see what went up in their place. My first stop was Harbor Park and the Boathouse and here is what I found…

It was gone, completely gone. A flock of geese were “guarding” the entrance to what I think was the driveway leading up to where the Boathouse used to be. In actuality, it may have been this strip of land or the one next to it that was the site of the former Boathouse concert venue. I bartended there for nearly 3 years, saw tons of amazing shows, and got paid to do so. I worked with a bunch of Norfolk and Virginia Beach professionals, who used the Boathouse not only for income but to fuel their love of music similar to myself. It was a great gig and I have so many fond memories of the Boathouse. If you are unfamiliar with the Boathouse, here is a great news link I found while doing research on the Boathouse, on what would have been the 40th anniversary of the club – Boathouse Concert Venue.

I mentioned that the Boathouse was behind Harbor Park. Harbor Park is home to the Norfolk Tides, now a minor league baseball affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. When I was living in Virginia in the late 1990s, the New York Mets were the parent club of the Tides. I had a friend who worked at the park, so I got to see games for free. I would sit down behind home plate and watch the AAA Mets every chance I got. I met and befriended a Mets scout and even considered becoming a scout at one point. The park is still there and thriving and they have made some incredible infrastructural improvements to the area. Here are some photos from my walk around the park (no game due to All Star break).

It was a short drive from Harbor Park over to Monticello Avenue to the former home of the Downtown Athletic Club. The NorVa Theater is where (I think) the health club used to be and there is a ton, I mean a ton of new buildings, parking garages, malls, you name it in its place. It looked absolutely incredible and I parked my car, got out, and just stared up and down Monticello at the view.

Wow, it was so much fun checking out what was once the Boathouse and the Downtown Athletic Club locations. The Boathouse, sadly is completely gone. I think the news website link mentioned it was wrecked in a hurricane and never repaired/reopened due to severe damage. The Downtown Athletic Club was in the process of closing while I was still in Virginia. I had taken a position with Conte’s Bicycle and Fitness after hearing the news from ownership that they would be closing the doors for good at or around 1997-98. In its place, a beautiful theater and a cool name – The NorVa. Just standing next to the spots where I worked all those years ago and walking down those memorable lanes, very cool life experience.