$1.5 mil upgrade moves stadium entrance
A roughly $1.5 million renovation, stemming from a successful Title IX lawsuit and funded by Knox County Government, is well under way for Bellamy Field, home of the 2021 TSSAA Class AAA state champion Farragut High School softball team.
It features a new “L-shaped” clubhouse building, batting cage and pitching area along the left field line and behind the left field fence, and will house “locker rooms, concession stand, restrooms and a coaches office,” FHS principal Dr. John Bartlett said.
“There’s also going to be improvements to dugout areas, seating and handicap accessibility,” he added. “It’s going to be a beautiful place.”
The resulting construction has created a need to re-route students, parents and other fans of FHS athletic events at Bill Clabo Field/Bill Parker Track — including Admirals football — who enter on the “home-side” of the stadium along Lendon Welch Way.
A new 8-foot “crushed rock” pathway — roughly halfway between the former entrance and the track’s “after-school hours” entrance behind the east end zone — is set to be ready for the varsity football home opener Friday, Aug. 27, also dubbed “Toga Night,” with opening kickoff at 7 p.m. versus Knoxville West.
The rock path entrance “will be smoothed-out” for handicapped accessibility and easier walkability, athletic director Donald Dodgen said.
