These are the results of the Kalamazoo Gazette’s third annual Readers’ Choice Awards where our readers select the best of the best of Southwest Michigan.
A record number of votes were submitted this year through print and online ballots. More than 2,400 people cast more than 7,000 votes in the five main categories — Arts & Entertainment, Dining, Shopping, Services and Sports & Leisure. More than 1,300 people participated in 2008 and more than 1,500 people in 2009.
Thank you for voting and be sure to fill out a ballot next year.
• See results from 2008 and 2009.
Here are this year's Sports & Leisure results:
The votes have been tallied and once again West Hills has been chosen as one of the readers’ best. The club offers members personal training, specialty fitness, basketball, group fitness, indoor tennis, saunas and even child care.
WHERE
: 2001 S. 11th St.
HOURS
: Labor Day through Memorial Day: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Fridays; 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays.
CONTACT
: 269-387-0410,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bronson Athletic Club
Get your exercise and stay healthy at this world-class fitness, exercise and sports facility. While you get your jog on indoors, or work out in the aquatics center, your children can stay at the youth activity center. Supervised childcare is available.
WHERE: 6789 Elm Valley Drive
CONTACT: 269-544-3200, www.bronsonhealth.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
YMCA
The 'Y' has been a staple for family fitness in Kalamazoo for many years.
WHERE: 1001 W. Maple St.; 2900 W. Centre Ave., Portage
CONTACT: 269-345-9622; 269-324-9622 (Portage); www.kzooymca.org
HONORABLE MENTION
Borgess Health & Fitness Center, 3025 Gull Road
CONTACT: 269-552-2348, www.borgess.com
Kalamazoo boasts high-caliber professional hockey that gives fans plenty of action before and after the referees blow their whistles. The K-Wings are a part of the ECHL. The league has delivered the promise of fast-paced, physical hockey and is also the leading professional development league for the NHL and AHL. Several times during the season the icy playing surface gets a color job. On St. Patty’s Day the beer will be flowing in the stands, while the players race back and forth on green ice.
WHERE:
3600 Van Rick Drive
HOURS:
See schedule, call or visit website for game times
CONTACT:
269-345-1125,
ON MLIVE:
FIRST RUNNER-UP
WMU Broncos
You name the sport, Kalamazoo is behind Bronco athletics all the way
CONTACT: www.wmubroncos.com
ON MLIVE: MLive.com/broncos
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Kalamazoo Kings
If you need a way to show your family, friends or even your employees you appreciate them, rent the party deck during a Kings game
WHERE: Homer Stryker Field, 251 Mills St.
CONTACT: 269-338-8326, www.kalamazookings.com
ON MLIVE: MLive.com/kings
HONORABLE MENTION
The Killamazoo Derby Darlins
CONTACT: www.killamazooderbydarlins.com
It’s a golfer’s haven for quality and quantity. Five 18-hole championship courses complete with rolling hills, challenging water holes and scenic views. Golf Digest gives all five courses a rating of 4.5 stars, based on a five-star scale. Eric Russell, marketing director for Gull View, said many out-of-towners, including those from Chicago, Detroit, even Cleveland, Ohio, regularly come to play. Russell added, “it’s a great value for the amount of golf one can play.” Memberships are good at all five courses.
WHERE:
7417 North 38th St., Augusta
HOURS:
Weather permitting, sunrise to dusk
CONTACT:
800-432-7971,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Milham Golf Course
Area golfers appreciate one of the best municipal courses on this side of the state. This beautiful 18-hole course includes a driving range, pro shop, snack bar and lessons by PGA-approved instructors.
WHERE: 4200 Lovers Lane
CONTACT: 269-337-8792, www.kalamazoogolf.org/milham
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Yarrow Golf and Conference Resort
Get married, have a business meeting, arrange a weekend golf getaway just minutes from home at this world-class golf and conference center.
WHERE: 10499 N. 48th St., Augusta
CONTACT: 800-563-4397, www.yarrowgolf.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Angel's Crossing Golf Club, 3600 East W. Ave., Vicksburg
CONTACT: 269-649-2700, www.golfangelscrossing.com
This year it was a battle between “Bitter” and “Timber.” The runner-up for 2009 is now the best place for skiers, according to our readers. For those who like to stay active during the winter, Timber Ridge also has room for snowboarding and tubing fun.
WHERE:
7500 23 1/2 Street, Gobles
CONTACT:
269-694-9449,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bittersweet Ski Resort
Last year, Bitter Sweet won top honors, but this year is settling in as first runner-up, according to our readers. Not too far from Kalamazoo, the slopes are ready for you at Bittersweet.
Where: 600 River Road, Otsego
CONTACT: 269-695-2820, www.skibittersweet.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Boyne Mountain
One of the finest in Michigan for downhill skiing and more
Where: One Boyne Mountain Road, Boyne Falls
CONTACT: 800-462-6963, www.boyne.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area, 13421 Mann St., Jones
CONTACT: 269-244-5635, www.skiswissvalley.com
Play softball, have a picnic, take the kids to this sprawling recreational spot. There’s room to move, explore and enjoy. Portage Creek is perfectly situated in the park, providing a sense of serenity for park-goers.
WHERE:
4200 Lovers Lane
HOURS:
7 a.m. to dusk, April 1 through Oct. 31
CONTACT:
269-337-8792,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Bronson Park
This downtown gathering place is a prime central location for folks to gather and enjoy concerts, festivals and city life.
CONTACT: www.kalamazoocity.org.
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Kindleberger Park
This park in Parchment is home of The Kindleberger Summer Festival of the Performing Arts. Music lovers also can enjoy the summer concert series.
WHERE: 650 S. Riverview Drive, Parchment
CONTACT: www.kindleberger.org
HONORABLE MENTION
Prairie View County Park, Vicksburg
CONTACT: 269-649-4737
What sets The Strutt apart from other hangouts in Kalamazoo is its diversity and uniqueness. It’s a study hall, coffeehouse, eatery and concert venue. Coffee that is roasted in-house is complemented with a wide selection of drafts and a full, yet affordable menu, with everything from pizzas to burgers to nachos. Some may remember this as the former Boogie Records that’s on the edge of both WMU and K-College campuses.
WHERE:
773 W. Michigan Ave.
HOURS:
Weekdays 7 a.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-midnight
CONTACT:
269-492-7200,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Waldo's Campus Tavern/Pilsen Club
Home of the W Club where, for $10, you'll get a personally-inscribed mug with a lifetime membership that entitles those to discounts on drinks and wings. Patrons can play team trivia on Tuesday, which is also is Mug Club Night.
WHERE: 1408 W. Michigan Ave.
CONTACT: 269-349-2020, www.waldoscampustavern.com
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Wild Bull
Ride the mechanical bull, take in some live music, and sit down for dinner. Party inside or step outside. The Wild Bull also offers an outdoor party venue called District Square.
WHERE: 139 S. Edward St.
CONTACT: 269-978-8451, www.wildbull.biz
HONORABLE MENTION
University Roadhouse, 1332 W. Michigan Ave.
CONTACT: 269-345-7990, www.universityroadhouse.com
If bowling on Airway’s 40 lanes doesn’t entice you for an afternoon or night of fun, perhaps a visit to its Fun Center will. Step inside and discover Balladium, a fast-paced, interactive Nerf ball-blasting game. Other popular attractions include laser tag, miniature golf, go-carts and an expansive game room.
WHERE:
5626 Portage Road, Portage
HOURS
: 9 a.m.-midnight Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays; noon-2 a.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m.-midnight Sundays.
CONTACT:
269-327-7061,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Continental Lanes
Take in a few frames after a K-Wings game. Continental is adjacent to the Wings Stadium parking lot. Crooners, yodelers, screamers and even singers step up to the microphone Wednesday through Saturday for karaoke fun.
WHERE: 645 Vanrick Drive
CONTACT: 269- 381-7121
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Holiday Lanes
Visit the 32 lanes and try the various specials throughout the week and for holidays
WHERE: 2747 S. 11th Street, No. 1
CONTACT: 269-375-6100
HONORABLE MENTION
Harpo's Lanes Bowling Center, 4500 Stadium Drive, 269-375-1378
If you need an excuse to visit the village of Paw Paw, here’s an idea. Take a 20-minute drive west of Kalamazoo to the legendary St. Julian’s Winery, one of the oldest in the state. Sample the vino and then take some home to share with your friends and family.
WHERE:
716 W. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw
HOURS:
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays
CONTACT:
269-657-5568,
FIRST RUNNER-UP
Tempo Vino
A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine. Stop in and sample the wine, book a group party and even make your own private wine label.
WHERE: 260 E. Michigan Ave.
CONTACT: 269-342-9463, www.tempovinowinery.com.
SECOND RUNNER-UP
Lawton Ridge Winery
The relatively new winery made a quick name for itself receiving the Best of Class award and a gold medal for its
AZO semi-dry red at the 33rd annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition in August.
WHERE: 8456 Stadium Drive
CONTACT: 269-372-9463, www.lawtonridgewinery.com
HONORABLE MENTION
Tabor Hill, 185 Mount Tabor Road, Buchanan, 800-283-3363