Memberships on sale for the St. James sports complex

Construction of the St. James complex is well under way.

Although the huge new St. James sports, wellness, and entertainment center isn’t scheduled to open until September 2018, about 200 people have already purchased memberships.

The complex, at 6805 Industrial Road in the Springfield area of Mason District, will have two ice rinks, a turf field, basketball courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, indoor water park, climbing wall, health club, spa, and much more. There will be classes, teams, leagues, and camps.

The turf field and bleachers.

The membership rate is $169 a month. Seniors 65 and older, first responders, and members of the military pay $135 a month. The rate for couples is $269 a month, plus $25 a month for a child under 12 and $40 for a child age 12-18.

There’s $200 initiation fee for people who sign a 12-month commitment or $399 for those who join on a month-to-month basis.

The future site of the pool.

Members will have access to the entire 450,000-square foot facility, including lockers and towels. They would also receive guest passes. There’s an additional charge for one-on-one services, such as personal training and sports clinics.

About 80 to 90 percent of the facility will be restricted to members, says St. James Sales Ambassador Ahmad Mahmood. The water park will be open to non-members at an hourly rate of about $15 to $17. Members would pay a discounted rate of about $10 to $12.

The obstacle course, virtual reality activities, and rock climbing center will also be available to the public for an hourly fee.

The St. James will form its own sports teams and leagues (basketball, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, and others) at various levels and will host tournaments. The facility will not be available for rental by outside teams.

A rendering of the basketball court area.

The St. James announced earlier this month that it’s partnering with chef Spike Mendelsohn to develop a restaurant in the complex to include a dining room with indoor, outdoor, and communal seating; café; lounge; bar; and catering options. It would open next September, at the same time the complex opens.

Mendelsohn, the owner and face behind several D.C. restaurants, including Good Stuff Eatery; We, The Pizza; and Santa Rosa Taqueria, as well as chair of the D.C. Food Policy Council, is planning a menu with gourmet dishes and locally sourced ingredients. It will be open to the public.