New Hanover Regional Medical Center might eventually be the new owner of the property that’s currently home to the Wilmington Athletic Club at 2026 S. 16th St. in Wilmington.

The real estate agent working with the owners of the WAC approached hospital officials to find out whether they’d be interested in buying the fitness center, and currently, the parties are in the process of entering into a potential sale agreement that has not yet been finalized, said Martha Harlan, director of marketing and public relations for NHRMC, on Tuesday.

“We’re certainly interested in the property because of its proximity to the main campus, and we’re always looking to expand our services and make sure we’re meeting the needs of patients in this region,” Harlan said

Founded in 2002, the WAC had nearly 2,500 members as of last year, according to a Greater Wilmington Business Journal list of largest area fitness centers.

Sandra Kittinger, one of the owners of the WAC, said Tuesday afternoon that owners had no additional information to share about the potential sale except to say, "It’s business as usual at the Wilmington Athletic Club during the negotation process."

Located at 2131 S. 17th St., NHRMC’s main campus is about a five-minute walk from the WAC.

Harlan said if the potential sale goes through, the property could be used for temporary parking and future medical services for the growing hospital. Depending on the use, the hospital might need to obtain a special use permit from the city of Wilmington, she said.

There are no current plans to move the hospital’s employee fitness center from Shipyard Boulevard to the WAC property, Harlan said Tuesday.

In an email to members last week, WAC owners said, “Some of you may have already heard that we have been approached by the New Hanover Regional Medical Center to purchase the WAC. This could potentially change the direction of the WAC and its future, however at this time we do not have any details to offer as we are still in the infancy stages of a project that could take 3-5 months to conclude.”

The email also said, "The WAC will keep all the services going as long as they are staffed. We will keep you informed as to the next steps once we have more information.”

New Hanover County property tax records show that WAC 2001 LLC bought the property at 2026 S. 16th St. for $1.9 million from WAC 1999 LLC in May 2002.