Seating and ‘topping off’ mark milestones
Seating is being put into place at Covenant Health Park and the adjacent Delaney Building had its “topping off” ceremony as the return of baseball to Knoxville gets ever closer.
“A huge thank you to the hundreds of workers and everyone involved in bringing this vision to life, the views from the top are nothing short of spectacular, offering what could be the best place in America to watch a baseball game!” Randy Boyd posted on social media.
Boyd, the founder of Boyd Sports, has been the primary impetus behind the drive to return Minor League Baseball to Knoxville, a quest that was publicly announced in 2020. The pandemic created its own set of issues, especially in terms of critical supply chain products, but the stadium is on schedule to host Opening Day for the Knoxville Smokies on April 15, 2025.
Season ticket sales remain ongoing with the Luxury Level Club section sold out for the full- and half-season packages. Other options are available by calling 865-286-2300 or clicking HERE for more information.
The nine-story Delaney Building, which is named for renowned artist Beauford Delaney, will house the team offices on the lower level and luxury condominiums on the other floors with spectacular views. Additional information is available HERE.
Boyd shared some fun facts about the building. It has nine floors, rising 156 feet from the parking level to roof; 11,000 cubic yards of concrete, weighing 44 million pounds; 1,100 cement trucks delivered materials; 970 tons of rebar to reinforce the building; 33 miles of electrical cable installed; and more than 300,000 bricks used.
The “topping off” ceremony for a building marks a significant milestone during construction when the final and highest steel beam is put in place. Also known as “topping out,” the celebration dates to at least the year 700 in a Scandinavian tradition of topping completed structures with sheaths of grain for Slepner, the horse of Odin in Norse mythology, to bring good luck for the building and its inhabitants.
For those needing baseball before spring, the stadium in Kodak will host the Tennessee Vols’ Orange & White Game on Friday, Nov. 8, at 6:30 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m. Tickets sales have been brisk and availability can be found HERE.
It’s another chance to see baseball – and the 2024 College World Series champions – at Smokies Stadium. In a few months, the Smokies will make the move back to Knoxville. Be there.
Maria Cornelius, a senior writer/editor for MoxCar Marketing + Communications, is a lifelong baseball fan and longtime Smokies season ticket holder. She definitely will be at the Orange & White game.