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Covenant Health Park

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Coordinates: 35°58′20″N 83°54′52″W / 35.9722125°N 83.9143812°W / 35.9722125; -83.9143812
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Covenant Health Park
Map
Address601 E Jackson Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee
United States
Coordinates35°58′20″N 83°54′52″W / 35.9722125°N 83.9143812°W / 35.9722125; -83.9143812
OwnerKnoxville Sports Authority
OperatorBoyd Sports
Capacity7,000
Construction
Broke groundJune 13, 2023
Opened2025
Construction cost$114 million
ArchitectDenark Construction
Tenants
Knoxville Smokies (SL) from 2025
One Knoxville SC (USL League One) from 2025
Website
https://www.grandslamknox.com/

Covenant Health Park is a 7,000-seat sports stadium under construction in Knoxville, Tennessee. Scheduled for completion in March 2025, the stadium will serve as the home baseball park of the Double-A Knoxville Smokies of the Southern League and One Knoxville SC, a Division III soccer team. The stadium is situated within the Magnolia Avenue Warehouse District, just east of Knoxville's Old City.

History

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Plans started as early as 2016 for Randy Boyd to bring the Tennessee Smokies back to Knoxville. The Smokies were last in Knoxville in 2000 at Bill Meyer Stadium before moving to Sevier County. The idea resurfaced in 2019 when the city talked to Boyd Sports about potentially coming back to the city.[1]

In August 2020, Boyd Sports unveiled plans, designed by Populous, for a new ballpark on the site of an abandoned Lay's meat packing plant. The initial cost would be US$65 million, entirely funded by the city and county. Boyd promised millions in private development around the ballpark, including apartments and community spaces.

After approval from the city, county, and the newly formed sports authority in 2021, the Knoxville-Knox County Sports Authority approved a plan to sell $65 million in bonds to fund a portion of the project.[2][3][4][5] The total projected cost of Grand Slam Knox is $114 million, funded through a combination of local government bonds, a state grant, investment earnings, and contributions from Boyd Sports founder Randy Boyd.[3] Construction is being overseen by Denmark Construction.[6][7][8]

On August 27, 2024, Boyd Sports and Covenant Health announced that the new stadium will be called Covenant Health Park for 20 years. The financial details for the name change were not announced.[9]

Features

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  • Multi-use design: Intended to accommodate baseball, concerts, festivals, soccer, football, and other year-round events
  • Adjacent development: Residential apartments and condominiums are under construction alongside the stadium, with some units expected to be ready by Opening Day.[10]
  • Community integration: The city's Reconnecting Knoxville project will include a greenway around the stadium and a monument to the historic Knoxville Giants baseball team.[11][12]

Tenants

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The Tennessee Smokies will relocate to the new stadium in 2025 and change their name to the Knoxville Smokies. One Knoxville SC will also play home games at the venue beginning in 2025.[13][14][15][16]

Community impact

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The stadium project has generated discussions around parking availability, as no designated stadium parking exists. The city plans to replace some nearby parking lots with park space, relying on existing public and private parking within walking distance.[11] A 2021 study by Knox County projected positive economic benefits for the community.[17] There has been a stated goal to award 17% of contracts to disadvantaged businesses, with efforts by the Knoxville Area Urban League to encourage minority participation in the project.[18][19]

The stadium faces criticism from some community members who oppose the use of taxpayer funds, advocating for investment in education, safety, and infrastructure instead. Concerns were raised about the project's financial viability, potential for gentrification, and lack of community involvement. Supporters, however, argue the stadium would bring economic revitalization to East Knoxville, serve as a community gathering space, and connect the area to downtown.[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Knoxville leaders explore building minor league baseball stadium near Old City". WBIR. February 12, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  2. ^ "Knoxville-Knox County Sports Authority blesses $65 million in debt to pay for the stadium". WBIR. May 9, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Cornelius, Maria (May 26, 2023). "Stadium construction hits 'major milestone'". Baseball Stadium. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  4. ^ "Knoxville's Smokies stadium funding secured, a crucial step as construction ramps up". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "$65 million in bonds sold to cover downtown stadium construction". WBIR. May 25, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "Crews officially break ground on Knoxville's new multi-purpose stadium". WBIR. June 12, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Stadium Halfway Completed: Wooden Roof Installed - Next Up, Light Poles!". www.knoxvilletn.gov. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "$114M Knoxville stadium taking shape as construction passes halfway point". WATE 6 On Your Side. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "Downtown Knoxville's new stadium named Covenant Health Park". wbir.com. August 27, 2024. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Knoxville – not Tennessee – Smokies baseball debuts in 2025, and a new jersey is coming". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "With a year till opening day 2025, will Knoxville's Smokies baseball stadium be ready?". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "5 ways new paths and parks will 'Reconnect Knoxville' from the stadium to the river". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Austin, Jared (April 9, 2024). "One Knox SC discusses next home in downtown Knoxville stadium". WVLT. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  14. ^ "One Knoxville to play in Old City stadium if approved". WATE. October 26, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tennessee Smokies will move to Knoxville stadium under construction". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "Knoxville – not Tennessee – Smokies baseball debuts in 2025, and a new jersey is coming". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "Knox County Multi-Use Stadium & Adjacent Development Tax Revenue & Economic Impact Assessment" (PDF). Knoxville Community Development Corporation. Conventions, Sports and Leisure International. August 18, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  18. ^ "Why the downtown Knoxville stadium construction isn't enticing diverse contractors". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  19. ^ "Knoxville Area Urban League hosts annual luncheon to discuss agenda for the year, celebrate members". WBIR. February 7, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "Some community members say Knoxville stadium deal would be a "swing-and-a-miss" for taxpayers". WBIR. February 18, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
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