Covenant Health Park brings new look
The news that Knoxville’s new multi-use stadium would become Covenant Health Park set off a flurry of news coverage and a lot of renderings to show the new look.
Construction is on schedule, and the stadium is expected to be ready for the Knoxville Smokies’ home debut baseball game on April 15, 2025.
“I’ll plant a flag in the ground and say on April 15 we will have our grand opening and at 7 pm we will play ball!” Randy Boyd said at the official reveal of the renderings on Aug. 28.
Boyd, the owner of Boyd Sports, LLC, and Jim VanderSteeg, president and CEO of Covenant Health, entered into the partnership as two organizations with shared values and common purpose to deliver a healthy and fun experience to people of the region.
“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. “As the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare 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.”
VanderSteeg also noted: “This a baseball field but it’s a whole lot more. People are pursuing wellness and health. That matches up so well with our mission.”
Covenant Health Park will host the Smokies, the Chicago Cubs Double A-affiliate in Minor League Baseball, and One Knoxville SC of the United Soccer League (USL).
The baseball field will be oriented differently for soccer and provide fans will a full stadium experience.
Covenant Health Park also will be adjacent to public plazas, vibrant streetscapes and spaces designed for community events from festivals to cultural celebrations. The stadium will provide a platform for Covenant Health to promote wellness initiatives and engage with the community.
Elected officials and community and business leaders gathered at the construction site to reveal the new renderings behind the outfield wall.
In an earlier statement, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon summed up the situation very well.
“Watching and playing sports, attending concerts and events, spending time outside with friends and family – these are pastimes Knoxvillians treasure, the activities we want to be healthy for, the activities that keep us healthy in the first place,” Kincannon said. “It’s a natural fit for Covenant’s mission. I’m excited to start attending events at Covenant Health Park next Spring!”
A video from WBIR can be watched below that includes remarks from Boyd and VanderSteeg at the official reveal with the stadium backdrop.
Opening Day can’t get here fast enough.
Maria Cornelius, a senior writer/editor for MoxCar Marketing + Communications, is a lifelong baseball fan and longtime Smokies season ticket holder.