Big changes could be coming to Knoxville's municipal golf course, and the city-county Sports Authority wants the public's input as it considers how the property could better serve golfers, young athletes and the broader community.
The Sports Authority on Nov. 16 will begin looking for a private contractor that can build a multifacility complex featuring fewer golf holes and new sports fields on half the property, with a focus on hosting local leagues and large-scale weekend tournaments.
A draft request for proposals, which asks contractors to submit their qualifications and approach, outlines the city and county's vision. But the RFP won't be finalized until after the Sports Authority holds two public meetings this month at the Knoxville Municipal
Golf Course clubhouse at 3925 Schaad Road:
- 4-6 p.m. Oct. 22: Community listening session and roundtable discussion
- 9-10:30 a.m. Oct. 27: Sports Authority's public hearing on the draft RFP
The Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission in August approved moving forward with a multisport complex for the site just southwest of Powell, including a proposal to scale back the course from 18 holes to nine. The public meetings will help craft a final RFP to attract developers.
Those who cannot attend the meetings in person can go to visitknoxville.com/knox-sports-authority and click the "Knox Municipal Golf Course Redevelopment Draft RFP" menu at the top to share input about the project.
After the RFP is released Nov. 16, private contractors will have until Jan. 22 to submit proposals. While the Sports Authority evaluates submissions, it will host another public forum in February to gather feedback on developers' proposals.
The Sports Authority will consider recommending one plan to the city and county by late March.
How did this project come to be?
Three public studies conducted by Visit Knoxville and the city determined Knoxville doesn't have enough rectangular sports fields to meet the demand for practices, leagues and tournaments. Additionally, according to the draft RFP, the municipal golf course "is not optimally designed for evolving golf demand."
A new complex could accommodate sports such as soccer, lacrosse, flag football and ultimate frisbee while generating sales and occupancy tax revenue from out-of-town teams and their families visiting Knoxville for tournaments.
Reimagining the facility could be an economic boost by encouraging additional commercial investment in the area, according to an August city council agenda. The golf course is a short drive from Belltown, a singe-family housing development where more than 200 families have already moved in. As construction begins on next batch of homes between Karns and Powell, restaurants and retail businesses are moving into commercial spaces across the street.
The initial plan approved Aug. 18 by the Knoxville City Council allowed the Sports Authority to begin the RFP process. Created to oversee the development of Covenant Health Park and future sports projects, the Sports Authority will work with the city and Knox County as discussions continue.
Sophia Tiedge is the growth and transformation reporter for Knox News. Email: sophia.tiedge@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 9 holes? New fields? Have a say in the future of Knoxville's golf course
