The Knoxville Community School District (KCSD) is preparing for home football games to be played at Randy Wilson Track starting in 2024, while the Knoxville Alumni Association’s (KAA) Save Our Stadium Committee raises funds to renovate Ken Locke Stadium.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, a proposal was submitted by the KAA with their intent to  fundraise the project. The Alumni Association asked the school district to maintain ownership of the property for five years while funds are raised. During that time, KCSD will be responsible for making sure the facility meets city code. 

If appropriate funds are raised by the KAA they are hoping for the stadium to be used for school and community use and the renovation will be done in phases. For the football team to be able to play games at Randy Wilson Track there also has to be some renovations and additions as well. Until renovations take place at Ken Locke, KCSD Superintendent Cassie Pearson says she ultimately wants Knoxville’s athletes to play at the best available facility. 

“Our intentions are to always have our kids to play in the best location we have available for them, so as we finish things out at Randy Wilson Track when we have that ready to host a football game we will be moving over there. Right now we do not have enough bleachers, or the restrooms bathrooms all those types of things. It will be once those things are completed we will be looking to move football to that location. We’re hoping maybe it is going to be a year from now.”

Upon completion of the five year period, the KAA will be eligible to purchase the property from KCSD. Hear more about the proposal and plan from Pearson on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.