The Washington DC area is getting an epic sports and wellness center, and on Thursday, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was at the groundbreaking.
Wearing a blue St. James jersey that resembled a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater, Ovechkin told the press that “it’s nice to be drafted again!” CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Chick Hernandez emceed the event.
According to his agent David Abrutyn, Ovechkin and his family are founding members of the 450,000 square foot sports/fitness complex which will feature many sports under one roof.
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#Caps Alex Ovechkin helping break ground on a massive new sports and wellness complex in Northern Virginia @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/MnRV5scu1K
— Tom Hunsicker (@TomSportsWUSA9) September 7, 2017
The two new hockey rinks come at a time when the sport of hockey is exploding in the DC area. During the Ovechkin era, hockey participation has surged, especially among youth players. In August, USA Hockey announced that more than 1,000 kids have joined the system over the last five seasons. The total number of players in the DC area now exceeds 22,000. That’s nearly 10 times the entire Southeastern District total from 1980.
Like Kettler Capitals Iceplex, The St. James’ two rinks will be side-by-side and separated by spectator seats and a walkway.
Photos of the rinks
“Our aim is to be the center of the universe for active people and sports and wellness enthusiasts of all ages,” said co-founder Kendrick Ashton. “Whether it’s a 5-year old being introduced to the joys of sports, a 15-year old pushing to make varsity or a 45-year old striving to improve her performance in each stage of a triathlon, we want to provide every tool necessary for everyone to go as far as their talents and desires will take them, and enjoy themselves while doing it.”
The features of the complex are stunning. For example, you could show up and play some hockey, jump in a cryotherapy chamber, and end your day by dumping water on your friends at The St. James’ indoor water park. What the what?
- Field House with a FIFA regulation-sized turf field — the only such field in the region — and 65-foot roof clearances for all turf sports
- Ice House with two NHL regulation-sized ice rinks for all ice sports and a hockey skills training center that includes both rapid shot and rapid hands skills training systems and a skating treadmill
- Court House with four full length regulation basketball courts that convert into nine volleyball courts
- Pool House with a 50-meter Olympic regulation-sized competition pool for all water sports
- Hitting House with six batting cages and pitching machines for baseball and softball that converts into a multipurpose training venue
- Squash and Golf Center with eight international regulation-sized squash singles courts and seven golf simulators
- High Performance Center with 10,000 square feet of elite strength, explosiveness and agility conditioning and training equipment housed within the 50,000-square foot premium health club
- Gymnastics Training Center with a competition spring floor, deep foam training pits, Tumbl Trak, rod floors and in-ground trampolines
- Climbing and Bouldering with three stories and 3,000 square feet of climbing experiences
- Premium Health Club with 50,000 square feet of state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, spinning, group fitness and yoga rooms, a 10,000-square foot high-performance training center, premium locker rooms and childcare for member families
- Premium Spa and Rejuvenation Center with nine well-appointed treatment rooms for massage, facial and other skin treatments, a cryotherapy chamber, a manicure and pedicure studio and a rejuvenation lounge
- Health and Sports Medicine Center featuring a best-in-class health care partner providing general non-emergent health care services, sports medicine, sports performance and rehabilitation
- Active Entertainment Center with 20,000 square feet of dynamic obstacle courses, zip lines, climbing structures and climbing walls, trampoline zones, virtual reality, a gaming theatre and party rooms
- Indoor Water Park with 6,000 square feet of exciting slides, massive water dumping buckets, long distance sprayers and other water-based play features
- Restaurant and Market Café conceived in collaboration with a celebrity chef and delivering healthy and delicious cuisine
- Performance Boutique featuring a sneaker boutique, performance-oriented apparel, technology, equipment and The St. James branded apparel
The 24/7 complex is being built on an industrial property owned by Washington Gas and construction is expected to be completed by September 2018.
Access to the center will be membership based, but non-members will be able to sign up for specific programs. The complex will able to accommodate 1,240 people, plus 900 spectators. 900 parking spaces will be constructed.
In addition to regular sports and fitness activities, the center plans to host special events like tournaments, meets and athletic showcases on weekends.
Photos of Ovechkin at groundbreaking
Renderings of The St. James
Headline photo: The St. James
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