Save Our Stadium

What is now known as Ken Locke Stadium was originally named the Knoxville Works Progress Administration (WPA) Pool and Athletic Field District. It was constructed of stone with a rustic medieval touch. The oldest structure of the stadium is the city water tower that was constructed in 1922. At that time, the city reservoir by the tower was used for swimming, skating, and ice for the local icehouse. In the late 1930s, the site was selected for two WPA projects to benefit the citizens of Knoxville and ensure a safe water supply and sanitary conditions. The reservoir was drained, and the construction of a concrete swimming pool and brick bath house was completed in 1938. The construction of the athletic field within the basin of the drained reservoir was finally completed in 1939. The first football game was held in 1939.

The water tower was painted black and gold, featuring the Knoxville Panthers school logo. The stadium was renamed Ken Locke Stadium in 1965 after Ken’s untimely death from head injuries he received during a football game. After construction of the community recreation center in 1988, the title to the stadium and pool owned by the City of Knoxville was transferred to the Knoxville School District for a fee of $30,000.

Several repair projects have taken place over the years at the stadium, but the historical preservation of the stadium was not maintained. By 2005, major repairs to the stadium were required, but the school district was unable to fund repairs and the preservation of the historical facility. The SOS Committee, under the umbrella of the Knoxville Alumni Association, was organized to help financially support and assist in the completion of this major project. The landmark is now recognized by the State of Iowa Historical Society and is listed on the National Historic Registry.

1. An organization from Iowa City was hired to document the history of Ken Locke Stadium for the purpose of getting it recognized historically, which opened the door for additional funding.

2. Funds were used for plans and specs.

3. Seating on the home side was redone by putting a new drainage system behind each seating section, new seat caps, stone work was tuck pointed and replaced where missing.

4. All towers were redone by replacing the broken glass block at the top. The windows were taken out and sandblasted. All broken glass was replaced, and the windows were repainted. The wiring was replaced, and the doors were replaced.

5. 300 seats were added on the north end of the home side.

6. The old concession stand at the south end was totally remodeled with a new roof, floor, wiring, lights, windows, door, as well as a concrete slab out front with new stone wings on each side.

7. New stairs were installed on both sides of the stadium, along with new handrails. On the east side, a new handicap platform was installed.

8. The old tree at the northwest corner of the home seating was removed, and a new stone wall was built.

9. The pool building was tuck pointed, the overhead door was removed, and the front was restored to it’s original look. All of the windows were removed, sandblasted, painted, and reinstalled. All of the spires on top of the building were gone with the exception of one which was used as a mold in order to replace all the spires. The roof was inspected and the clock at the back of the building was replaced. The brick walls originally in front were replaced as donor walls.

10. The southwest corner on the outside of the stadium was redone with new stairs, hand rail, and new stone retaining walls.