Celebrating over 20 years of success and Introducing the Legacy Members of the Paseo Club

Many people joined the Paseo Club in the last few years because of its diverse fitness, court, and social offerings. But the Paseo Club has not always been as it is now.

The Paseo Club’s origins were as a venue for tennis players — a much-needed resource for the Santa Clarita community. It opened in October of 2003, showcasing 15 tennis courts, a fitness center, a pool, and a clubhouse.

But the club grew as the needs of its members grew. Three years later it expanded the fitness center by adding a 15,000-square-foot facility. Soon the club evolved again by building 12 pickleball courts, a pro shop, a Pilates studio, a private training area, outdoor exercise areas, and an improved Kids Club childcare area. 

The Paseo Club also developed its member and community events by bringing in more seasonal celebrations, tournaments, exhibitions, and fundraisers for local nonprofit organizations.

The Paseo Club is pleased to say that there is a wonderful group of legacy members who have been with the club since its inception. In this article, in honor of the club’s growing success and these trailblazers, we will introduce you to a few of these members. 

Legacy Members at the Paseo Club

Susan Amico 

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened?
Our good friend and fellow tennis junkie, Tom Dierckman, told us about the Paseo Club before it even opened. At the time, two of our sons were playing tennis for Valencia High School, so we were very involved with tennis. The club ran welcome events at the high school courts, and we attended, played in the drills, and watched the pros play. I believe we joined before the first event was even over. Our son, Nick, was one of the first front desk employees hired. His younger brother Michael also worked there later as a lifeguard.

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now?
The years before the club opened were very busy — working and raising four teenagers. We hardly had time to do any fitness activities. We would maybe hit tennis balls once a week or go for a walk. When the club opened, it was life-changing. I attended tennis drills, played on the USTA teams, and eventually got involved in fitness classes. Now I’m in the gym or on the pickleball courts almost every day. I just finished the Paseo 100-Day Fitness Challenge. I’m probably in the best shape of my life since college. 

What is your favorite feature of the club?
There is no one favorite feature — and that’s what makes Paseo so special. It’s not just a tennis club, gym, swim club, kid’s club, or social club. It is an everything-and-anything-you-and-everyone-wants-to-do club. 

What is your favorite class or drill?
I do so many fitness classes and think they are all great and different. I’ve also done tennis and pickleball drills, which are always good. The trainers at Paseo are all serious about fitness and push us in a fun way. They make the workouts personal and adaptable to our fitness level. The tennis and pickleball coaches are so professional and knowledgeable. They work very hard to help us improve. 

What is a personal success that happened at the club?
There are so many! My tennis game improved, I’ve learned to play pickleball, gone to sectionals with USTA Teams, and I have met so many friends who share an active lifestyle that keeps us young.
Earlier this year, I set a goal to be able to do one pull-up by my birthday in February. I did two — thanks to Cezanne Youmazzo, Jason Youmazzo, and Jen Azevedo who helped me get there. Big Success!

Ami Belcher

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened?
There was a surge of new home construction in the Santa Clarita Valley when I first learned of the Paseo Club. I spotted a postcard that marketed the club at one of the new home centers. As a tennis lover, my eyes could not get any bigger when I saw that this club was going to be dedicated to tennis! We were originally from Simi Valley and had placed a refundable housing deposit on a new home there. Once we learned about the Paseo Club, we decided to pivot and move to the SCV instead. The club was a few years late breaking ground but offered free drills held at Valencia High School. Of course, I took advantage of most of them. Once the club was built — as they say — “the rest is history.”

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now?
If it weren’t for Paseo, I am sure I’d be many pounds heavier!! Paseo keeps me active and playing tennis, and in turn, that keeps me healthy and fit! I do need to venture more towards the “left” (fitness/gym) side of the club. I have slowly been trying to incorporate more cross-training as I know it can only help me be a better tennis player. We are so lucky to have an amazing group of instructors and classes here.

What is your favorite feature of the club?
I love that the club is so much more than just tennis and fitness. There are not many clubs in SoCal that offer everything that Paseo does. The social aspect is awesome. Our kids, Emily and Andrew, literally grew up at the club, starting as toddlers at Kids Corner. Later they participated in all of the junior tennis academies and competed in CIF prelims as high schoolers. Some of my fondest memories are of our Perfect Summer Days — playing tennis with other moms while our kids had fun at Kids Corner. After tennis, we would order lunch from the cafe, hang out, and swim in the pool! They were some of the best days ever! Many of my closest friendships have been made at the Paseo Club.

What is your favorite class or drill?
Cezanne’s Line and Wine dance class!!!  

What is a personal success that happened at the club? 
I will never forget the year my partner and I won the consolation round of Calcutta!! There were so many spectators watching, and I hit the winning shot!!! My partner and I were the underdogs, which made winning the cash prize even sweeter!!! 

Arnold Cadiz

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened?
I used to be part of a tennis team a long time ago. Before the club opened we would drive around the Valencia area to find a tennis court to practice and play on. As soon as we heard that a tennis club was going to be built near Valencia High School, our team decided to sign up and become members. Some of us are still members to this day.  

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now?
I do my exercise/fitness on my own. The club’s gym is my semi-private place (lol) to do my workouts.  

What is your favorite feature of the club?
My favorite feature is the whole club — but especially the gym and tennis facilities. The club is in proximity to my house and is my “second home.” I also want to add that the club’s entire staff is great. 

What is your favorite class or drill?
The tennis drills are my favorite.

What is a personal success that happened at the club? 
I have encountered many wonderful individuals, some of whom I now consider close friends.

Tom Dierckman

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened? 
While I was at Newhall Land, our company worked with Ken Beall and the principals at Top Seed to envision the club. They purchased the land from us for the construction of the club. I became the first member.

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now? 
Exercise, tennis, and fitness have always been important to me. My personal fitness has been refined and encouraged by the club professionals.

What is your favorite feature of the club?
My favorite features are tennis, the tennis membership, and the exceptional staff.

What is your favorite class or drill?
My favorite drill is Aleksey’s tennis drill class.

What is a personal success that happened at the club?
I met an exceptional, close group of friends. We play together, travel together, and are grateful for each other’s company.

Yvette Jansson 

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened? 
I have played competitive tennis since I was nine years old. When I moved to the Santa Clarita Valley, I discovered the Newhall Tennis Club, which was playing out of Valencia High School on the weekends. There were very few public courts to play on, so when I heard that Paseo Club was opening, I immediately joined with my twins, Anders and Amanda Jansson, who are also original members.
Initially, the Paseo Club consisted of just a couple of trailers and no courts. As time went on, my kids spent time at the summer camp, took private lessons, played tournaments, and became very good tennis players. Now we play pickleball tournaments there. The Paseo Club has always been our home away from home.  

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now?  
Having access to a full-service fitness club just a couple of miles from my home, I was able to get into a consistent fitness routine and regular tennis games.  

What is your favorite feature of the club?
At this time, the pickleball courts and the swimming pool in the summer are my favorite features at the club. I also enjoy always having a place to have a meal and a cocktail after a game of pickleball or swimming at the pool.  

What is your favorite class or drill?
TribeFit with Jen Azevedo because it kept me fit and helped with my fitness on the court.  

What is a personal success that happened at the club?
I have met my closest friends at Paseo Club. I became an Ambassador for the Paseo Club, I played on a Paseo tennis team that made it to nationals, and I captained Paseo Club’s  4.5 men's, 5.0 women's, 5.0 men's, and 5.0 mixed tennis teams, which successfully made it to sectionals.

Annie Kellogg

What brought you to the Paseo Club when it opened?  
Tennis! I was coaching at Valencia High School and had already signed petitions asking for courts to come to the SCV.  I simply couldn't wait for the club to open and provide more opportunities for everyone to play.

How has your exercise or fitness program changed between then and now?  
I'm playing a lot less tennis these days, but the addition of Bootcamps and HIIT workouts have provided me with more functional strength and flexibility than I had as a tennis player.

What is your favorite feature of the club?
How family-oriented and friendly the club is. The staff in the fitness department are incredible. Everyone really cares about people and going the extra mile!

What is your favorite class or drill?
I love Jen's classes! I've done them all, and they are the best! The yoga and Blood Flow Restriction classes are also AMAZING!

What is a personal success that happened at the club?
I was fortunate enough to coach at Valencia High School for 25 years and the connections we were able to create with the help of Paseo Club are such wonderful memories. The friends we've made still stand close today! 

And I did my first half marathon after training with Paseo friends — I’m actually thinking about signing up for another one soon...

Joining the fun at the Paseo Club

The Paseo Club has grown and changed over the years — and continues to evolve to this day. But the mission to create a community for health, fitness, and social connectedness still reigns strong.

The Paseo Club is proud to offer over 60 fitness classes each week, small group training, sessions with personal trainers, and indoor and outdoor gym spaces for when you want to exercise on your own. 

Court lovers can delight in both tennis and pickleball courts with drills, leagues, private lessons, and tournaments.

The Paseo Club has always been a place for families. Kids can enjoy camp during the summer and Kids Club every day all year long. Junior tennis and pickleball help kids learn the sports their parents already love.

We encourage you to relax and linger. We have dozens of social events every month. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy the music at Wine Down Wednesday, come to one of our community fundraisers that help local nonprofits, or try your hand at some friendly competition at one of our tennis tournaments. Whichever you choose, we bet you will have a blast!