Knoxville's Save Our Stadium committee unveils plans for Ken Locke Stadium
Save Our Stadium is a committee under the Knoxville Alumni Association. The committee is raising funds to transform Ken Locke Stadium into a community space.
Save Our Stadium is a committee under the Knoxville Alumni Association. The committee is raising funds to transform Ken Locke Stadium into a community space.
Save Our Stadium is a committee under the Knoxville Alumni Association. The committee is raising funds to transform Ken Locke Stadium into a community space.
The Knoxville Alumni Association's "Save Our Stadium" committee has unveiled its plans for Ken Locke Stadium.
Ken Locke Stadium is a well-loved space by the community of Knoxville, as well as other communities whose high school teams face off against the Knoxville Panthers there. It has a uniquely medieval look that is loved and sets it apart from many other high school stadiums and fields.
The Save Our Stadium committee is made up of a group of alumni who have been working on plans to revitalize the stadium for more than a decade. Last September, the committee celebrated when the Knoxville Community School District's school board approved a five year commitment to keep ownership over the stadium, while the committee raises money.
"We would have a portable ice skating venue on the field," said Pennie Sommar, the co-chair of the Save Our Stadium committee.
It's important to note Ken Locke Stadium will not be demolished. Sommar says the plan is to add activities around it, such as a pickleball court, a community center with a new concession stand and bathrooms, a track, a new main entrance, and making a corner of it more handicapped accessible. The committee is also looking to improve the field.
According to Sommar, at this time, the cost is $7.5 million. The committee says it has not asked the city of Knoxville or the Knoxville Community School District for any money for the project.
"We're going to try to do the best we can with grant money and raising funds," Sommar said. "The first part of this effort is going to be pounding the pavement, letter writing."
It's the committee's hope the site will be a spot where people of all ages can come together for more than just sports, such as movie nights, flea markets, farmers markets, and more.
Sommar told vlog that the first phase of the project will involve the building of the community center. However, before they can get there, the committee says it needs to raise money.
If you would like to help or donate, you can find more information .