KNOXVILLE, Iowa — A group of Knoxville High School alumni have unveiled a multi-year plan to renovate and revitalize the city's historic Ken Locke Stadium, which sits vacant now that the high school choose to move its football games to a different stadium.
Opened over 85 years ago, Ken Locke Stadium has been the home to community events and Knoxville High sporting events that residents and surrounding communities have come to adore over its medieval-styled structure.
"With any small town, you have your iconic places, your iconic landmarks," said "Save our Stadium" committee member Kevin Stittsworth. "For us, this is one of them."
Among the alumni working to freshen the stadium are Pennie Sommar (Class of 1966) and Kevin Stittsworth (Class of 1991). The two shared the committee's plans for the future of Ken Locke with Local 5 News on Saturday.
Plans detail a new, two-story community center, pickleball courts, a concession stand and bathrooms, a more accessible entrance and a refreshed field at the center – that can turn into an ice-skating rink in the winter.
"Whenever you hear anything about Knoxville, or what did you see there, or what did you like there, the stadium is going to come up, because it is so extremely unique," explained Sommar.
The estimate for the project will cost about $7.5 million, without taxpayer dollars, but instead rely on donations from community and surrounding community members, and from applied grants.
The Knoxville Community School District approved a five-year commitment last September to continue to keep ownership over the stadium, as the committee raises funds for the project. Also, the stadium will not be demolished or destroyed.
As of now, the committee are still working to raise money to begin the first noticeable phase of its revitalization project: a two-story community center, where class reunions can be held.
Donations to the committee can be received here.