KNOXVILLE, TN (February 11, 2025) – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Visit Knoxville is pleased to announce a partnership with Earthadelic to convert the turf at Covenant Health Park from a field designed for baseball to a field designed for soccer and back again. This will allow for the stadium to host an overlapping baseball season for the Knoxville Smokies alongside One Knoxville Sporting Club.
Earthadelic describes the conversion process, noting that it will take 10 employees about 12 hours to complete. The process starts by laying down padding to protect the field. The pitcher’s mound is retractable so it will be sealed and tarped before beginning. Edge cuts will be made by hand on the warning track and infield, and this soil will be stored and reused. String lines will set perimeters of the soccer field, then fabric will be laid down on non-turf surfaces, securing this by hand with sod staples. The sod, which is a special blend of Bermuda grass will be laid, rolled out with an impressive sod installer. Trim work will be done by hand with machetes, followed by patchwork, and consistent watering. The goal is to find the perfect marriage between roots taking enough of a hold for the field to be stable yet not too much to where it is difficult to remove. The removal itself will take 10 employees around 9 hours. The sod is cut and torn off, all the fabric is removed, and a magnetic roller is used to pull up all the staples. The edge cuts are refilled with topsoil, with a final clean-up and finish to bring the baseball field back to its original state. The sod will be procured from Crossroads Sod Farm in Sweetwater, Tennessee. This conversion process is anticipated to occur nine times throughout the overlapping soccer and baseball seasons.
“Earthadelic is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the brand-new stadium in the Old City,” said Steve Polte, Managing Partner of Earthadelic. “Our commitment to community has been an integral part of our culture and this partnership is a perfect example of what Knoxville is all about. We cannot wait to execute on the promise that this stadium is truly multi-use thanks to the collaboration between Earthadelic, One Knox, the Knoxville Smokies, and Visit Knoxville.”
"Like most good solutions, the field conversion question at Covenant Health Park is going to be answered through partnership aligned around a shared goal,” said Drew McKenna, Managing Partner of One Knoxville Sporting Club. “One Knox is grateful for its partnership with BoydSports, Visit Knoxville, the City, the County, the Sports Authority, and most especially, Earthadelic. Collaboration amongst all of these groups has created a conversion solution for the new stadium that is built for success."
“This partnership with Earthadelic helps create a connection with the community through sports,” said Chris Allen, President of Boyd Sports. “Covenant Health Park is going to be the pinnacle of multi-use stadiums, and our fans will certainly love the results.”
“We are so excited to see the community come together to create this process,” said Kim Bumpas, President of Visit Knoxville. “Covenant Health Park is going to be an incredible asset for locals and visitors alike, and the fact that it will be able to host both baseball and soccer is a testament to the wonderful partners in place to make it happen.”
Media: Please access assets here of the conversion process at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
ABOUT VISIT KNOXVILLE
Visit Knoxville (Knoxville Convention and Visitors Bureau) is the official CVB for the City of Knoxville and Knox County. Visit Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private company that works together with the community, business leaders and local and state government to further develop Knoxville as a premier leisure, meetings and travel destination. Tourism is the second highest grossing industry in the state of Tennessee. Knoxville/Knox County annually produces over $1 billion in travel spending. For more information, visit visitknoxville.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
ABOUT EARTHADELIC
Earthadelic is a turnkey construction company that offers a variety of design/build services ranging from swimming pools and hardscapes to kitchen renovations and home additions. We offer inspired design, expert installation, quality craftsmanship, and exceptional customer service to all of our clients in the Knoxville and surrounding areas. Our dedicated crews are reliable, skilled artisans who deliver the highest standards of quality and professionalism to each and every job.
ABOUT KNOXVILLE SMOKIES
The Knoxville Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the eight-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Knoxville Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.
ABOUT ONEKNOX SPORTING CLUB
One Knoxville Sporting Club is a professional soccer team proudly representing the vibrant community of Knoxville, Tennessee. Competing in USL League One, One Knox is committed to excellence on the field and changing lives through soccer off it. Through dynamic partnerships, community-driven initiatives, and a passion for the sport, the club fosters a deep connection with fans and supports the growth of soccer across East Tennessee. For more information, visit www.OneKnoxSC.com and follow us on social media @OneKnoxSC.
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Kristen Combs
Director of Communications
Visit Knoxville
865.306.4341
