Save Our Stadium

The Save Our Stadium project under the guidance of the Knoxville Alumni Association is supervising and financially supporting major improvements and additions to historical Ken Locke Stadium, with the cooperation of the Knoxville School Board. The renovation will be completed over a five-year period.

PHASES OF RENOVATION

Fundraising efforts will exceed $7,000,000.

Seven million dollar fundrasing campaign to improve and restore Ken Locke Stadium over five years

If you want to see this stadium stay a part of Knoxville’s history, we need your help! Below are items that are part of SOS’s improvement plan. Phases are based on fundraising accomplishments.

We also accept gifts of real estate, retirement plan assets, grain, and more. For larger gifts or to discuss your donation and recognition options with a fundraising committee member, please email knoxvilleiowaalumni@gmail.com

YEAR ONE: 2023-2024

Design fees, geotechnical report/soil borings, materials testing (trench/subgrade PCC)

YEAR TWO: 2024-2025

Beginning construction of a new two-story building at the north end of the field, removal of all debris from old swimming pool, new retaining wall, new ramp to the field, and removal of old concession stand

YEAR THREE: 2025-2026

Completion of new building, construction of paved road on the west side of the stadium, work on the field with an updated drainage system, new grass, replace the entire track with asphalt

YEAR FOUR: 2026-2027

Completion of all field work, seats on the visitors’ side updated

YEAR FIVE: 2027-2028

New black vinyl fencing around the entire facility, tree removal and landscaping completed along with any other projects from the above phases

The name “Ken Locke Stadium” is not going anywhere!

We are simply referring to the venue as “The Locke”, just like Wells Fargo Arena is commonly known as The Well.

DONATE TO THE RENOVATION

LEVELS OF GIVING

Community Center Naming Rights* : $1M+
Pickleball Court Naming Rights**: $500,000-$999,999
Black and Gold Panther Club: $100,000-$499,999
Black K Club: $50,000-$99,999
Gold K Club: $10,000-$49,999
K Club: $1,000-$9,999
Supporter: up to $999

*First $1M+ donor to receive naming rights to Community Center
**First $500k+ donor to receive naming rights to Pickleball Court

Donations at the K Club, Gold K Club, Black K Club, and Black and Gold Panther Club will be recognized in the entryway of the Community Center’s Wall of Fame.

Supporters $150-$999 will be recognized on the brick pathway leading to the Community Center.

STADIUM EVENTS

We are striving to serve members of all ages of Knoxville and Surrounding Communities

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL
  • YOUTH SOCCER
  • ELEMENTARY TRACK
  • BAND COMPETITIONS
  • DANCE/CHEER
  • MOVIES – FILMS ON THE FIELD
  • COMMUNITY WALKING/EXERCISE VENUE
  • ATHLETIC CAMPS
  • FARMERS MARKET (INCL. YEAR ROUND IN COMMUNITY CENTER)
  • OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE
  • GRADUATIONS
  • PICKLEBALL COURTS
  • FITNESS CLASSES AT THE LOCKE
  • CLASS REUNIONS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER
  • COMMUNITY/HOLIDAY/FAMILY EVENTS
  • FLEA MARKETS
  • ICE SKATING

PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS

1. New community center including new concession stand and bathrooms

2. Pickleball court

3. Pickleball court

4. Resurface track

5. Visitor’s seating improved

6. Pave road

7. Southwest corner will become handicapped accessible

8. New main entrance

9. Field improvements / Seasonal ice skating rink

HISTORY OF KEN LOCKE 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.

A priority plan has been developed to make additions and improvements to preserve the stadium in five stages over five years. Stages may be completed sooner with successful fundraising efforts. SOS has invested over $1,000,000 in repairs prior to the 2007 football season.

FUNDRAISING HISTORY AND RESULTS 2007

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.