Article by: J. Brooks Terry | Jax Daily Record | Click here to read the full article.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is permitted to build a new sports club at a project cost of $65 million.
St. Johns County issued a building permit Nov. 20.
The facility is planned at 240 Ponte Vedra Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach.
It is owned by Jacksonville-based Gate Petroleum Co.
According to site plans, the 105,314-square-foot club is two stories and includes a four-level parking garage. It will feature a gym with cardiovascular and free-weight equipment, daily lockers, showers and group fitness classes.
Jacksonville-based England-Thims & Miller Inc. is the civil engineer. Brasfield & Gore LLC of Birmingham, Alabama, is the contractor.
Spokesperson Misty Skipper said other amenities included in the plans are a second-floor lap pool, a cafe and retail space that will not be leased to outside parties.
Demolition and site clearing are underway and construction is expected to start by the end of January, she said.
Estimated completion is early 2027, according to Pontevedra.com.
“As construction kicks off, this transformative project will require some temporary adjustments to our services. Rest assured we’ve crafted plans to ensure you continue enjoying the best possible experience,” the site said.
The sports club is part of a St. Johns County-approved planned unit development for the renovation and expansion of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and The Lodge & Club. It is expected to be completed in six phases over a 30-year period. Skipper said the sports club is part of phase one.
A new surf club isn’t far behind, she said. It is working its way through permitting. Amenities will include family and adult pools, restaurants and bars, conference space and guest rooms, Skipper said.
It will replace an existing surf club that will close Dec. 1. Demolition is expected by late December.
As part of the PUD, the oceanfront Ponte Vedra Inn & Club can expand to up to 349 rooms and 595,000 square feet of restaurant, bar and indoor recreation space.
The Lodge & Club on the west side of Ponte Vedra Boulevard across from the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club can expand to up to 86 rooms and 70,000 square feet of restaurant, bar and indoor recreation space.
The resorts currently have 328 rooms according to the planned unit development application.
The existing square footage, excluding hotel rooms, for the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is 130,433 square feet. The Lodge is 10,439 square feet, according to county property records.