KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Community members gathered Tuesday morning to discuss the future of the Knoxville Municipal Golf Course ahead of proposed redevelopment.
Officials are considering redeveloping the course into a “multi-use recreational destination” with a redesigned public golf course, a sports complex, and supporting commercial amenities. Officials have been collecting feedback from residents, golfers, and organizations who may be impacted by the redevelopment.
Knox County raised over $145,000 for local Imagination Library in wake of Dolly Parton’s death
To this end, they held a public hearing on Tuesday asking for feedback on the project’s Request for Proposals (RFP), the document inviting groups to submit concepts for the redevelopment which officials can then choose from. See the RFP below.
Even if you missed the meeting, it’s not too late to send in your feedback. People can submit feedback online through November 2.
“We’re talking about a golf course that a lot of people play on, and a lot of people live around, so their opinion matters,” said Kim Bumpas, president of Visit Knoxville. “There’s a lot of varying opinions, but all are coming from a good place on how we just achieve the greatest goal for everyone.”
Various people spoke at the hearing, sharing their thoughts, including concerns about parking and how the redevelopment could affect golfers.
According to a tentative timeline for the project, the final version of the RFPs would be issued November 16, with proposals due on January 22, 2027. You can see the full timeline online.
“There’s a ton of steps left to this process,” Bumpas said. “Right now it’s just in the conversational stage and collecting all the feedback.”
READ: More top stories on WATE.com
The Knoxville City Council approved an agreement in August directing the Knoxville-Knox County Sports Authority to solicit and evaluate redevelopment ideas for the city-owned course which is on Schaad Road.
A study estimated that converting nine holes of the course into soccer, lacrosse and football fields, among other uses, could cost more than $20 million. It also projected that holding youth sports tournaments there could boost visitor spending in the city and county by around $18 million per year.
Knoxville has two other city-owned golf courses: The Whittle Springs Golf Course in North Knoxville and the Williams Creek Golf Course around two miles from Downtown Knoxville.
Suggest a Correction
Close Modal
Suggest a Correction