New stadium named Covenant Health Park
By Ken Lay
Knoxville’s new all-purpose sports stadium remains under construction in the Old City. It won’t open until April 2025, but it already has a name.
The new stadium, which will be home to the Knoxville Smokies and the One Knox professional soccer club, was christened Covenant Health Park in a ceremony early Wednesday afternoon at the construction site.
Boyd Sports LLC owner Randy Boyd expressed his gratitude to Covenant Health for partnering with his company and said that the new venue would be more than just a sports stadium.
“We are grateful to Covenant Health for partnering with us in this transitional venture. Covenant Health Park will be a space that brings our community together and drives continued growth and revitalization of Knoxville,” Boyd said. “This stadium is not just about sports.
“It’s about creating a vibrant place that will serve as a cornerstone for East Tennessee’s future.”
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Knoxville City Mayor Indya Kincannon were in attendance Wednesday and Boyd lauded both for their support in bringing the new stadium, which will also host concerts, to Knoxville.
“I’m grateful to our two mayors for sharing in our vision,” he said.
Boyd also noted that the new stadium will open on April 15, 2025.
“I’ll plant the flag in the ground and say that we’ll have our grand opening on April 15 at 7 (p.m.) and we’ll play ball,” he said.
The stadium is only part of the project.
“You have these apartments and then you’ll have condos and those will be in the shade so our fans can watch the game from there,” Boyd said. “We’ll also have a plaza that will be 50 percent bigger than Market Square.
Covenant Health President CEO Jim VanderSteeg said that the partnership between Covenant Heath and Boyd Sports is a natural marriage.
“Covenant Health Park will be a place where people of all ages can come together to enjoy sports, entertainment and live healthy, active lives,” VanderSteeg said. “It’s better to come to a game than to sit at home and watch it on your couch because you’ll get your physical activity in.
“As the region’s largest not-for-profit health care provider, based in Knoxville, Covenant Health is dedicated to improving lives through better health. This partnership allows us to extend our mission beyond the walls of our more than 150 locations and into the heart of the community, reinforcing our role as East Tennessee’s trusted and valued healthcare partner.”
