Emerald Youth Foundation updates task force on Holly Park property negotiations and program plans

Emerald Youth Foundation staff told the African American Equity Restoration Task Force the nonprofit is in contract negotiations to acquire the Midway property at Holly Park and intends to develop sports fields, community programming and a career center there if approved. Caitlin Chesley, East Area Director and director of sports for Emerald Youth Foundation, said Emerald was selected as the preferred recipient last fall and that talks on the purchase contract are ongoing. "Prior to that happening, it still does have to go before City Council," Chesley said, adding that the council hearing could be in August but that the timetable depends on both sides' approval of the contract. Chesley presented a concept drawing based on preliminary surveys showing two full-size multipurpose fields with baseball, soccer and flat football lines, parking for about 142 vehicles, and a third always-available field that would not be rented. The proposed facility would include a double gym, a career center to support college-and-career pathways for high-school students, and space for Emerald’s JustLead after-school program and faith-based activities. Chesley said Emerald is also discussing a roughly 10,000-square-foot medical-office building on the site with CEOs of major local hospitals; the office would be intended to provide primary care to East Knoxville residents and to address a local health-access gap. She said nothing is finalized and that surveying and final design remain to be done. Chesley reviewed program access and cost details reported from Emerald’s existing Lonsdale facility: after-school programming costs $65 per child per semester (field trips included), recreational sports are typically $35, and travel/club sports range higher (examples cited up to $105 for volleyball because of dual governing-body requirements). Emerald said it prioritizes neighborhood residents for 80% of slots and tries to hire staff from the neighborhood; AmeriCorps funding previously used for part-time positions was cut, and Emerald moved to a part-time hiring model while awaiting possible AmeriCorps program restoration. Task force members asked about access, fencing (only along Magnolia side to stop balls), rental rules, and whether faith-based programming would force religion on attendees; Chesley said services would still be offered to people who do not participate in faith activities and that the organization would not force religion on families. No city council or city funding decision was made at the meeting; Emerald representatives requested continued task force support and said they would return with updates.