Public strongly supports redevelopment of Knoxville Municipal Golf Course, survey finds
Results reveal public’s top redevelopment priorities and primary concerns.
What This Story Is About
- The Knoxville Sports Authority has released the results of its survey asking if the Knoxville Municipal Golf Course should be redeveloped.
Why It Matters
- The decision pits preservation of affordable public golf against growing demand for soccer, lacrosse and flag football fields.
For Context
- The city received more than 700 responses to address redevelopment priorities, concerns and respondents’ connections to the property and surrounding area.
Catch Up
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Hundreds of people have made their voices heard as changes may be on the horizon at the Knoxville Municipal Golf Course.
The Knoxville Sports Authority hosted a public meeting at the course last month to allow people to share their thoughts on several concepts being considered, including a redesigned public golf course and a multi-field sports complex with other commercial properties.
In total, 734 people submitted responses, with many supporting redevelopment.
Officials said of the 728 people who answered the question about overall redevelopment support, 61% said strongly support. Meanwhile, 23% of respondents said they strongly oppose redevelopment of the course.
As for what the top priorities should be for redevelopment, more than 70% said it should include youth and community sports fields. Additionally, 51% of people responded by saying it should prioritize tournament-capable sports facilities, while 26% of people said to prioritize the existing 18-hole public golf course. Of note, respondents could pick more than one answer to this question.
While the majority support redeveloping the site, traffic and parking topped the list of primary concerns, along with loss of golf access and access and affordability. Of the 680 who responded to the question, 211 people said they have no concerns with redevelopment.
While the results of the survey have been released, the city said the proposal is still in the planning and evaluation stage, adding that no final plan has been approved.
Click here for a question-by-question breakdown on the submissions received.
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