Knoxville Municipal Golf Course Draft RFP: Comments Close Nov. 2 on a 9-Hole Course and 10+ Fields at Schaad Road
The draft request for proposals for Knoxville Municipal Golf Course at 3925 Schaad Road calls for a par-3 or 9-hole public course, at least 10 full-size turf fields and supporting commercial uses on about 156 acres. Written comments close Nov. 2, with the final RFP set for Nov. 16 and proposals due
The public comment window on the plan to remake Knoxville Municipal Golf Course closes Monday, Nov. 2. The draft request for proposals (RFP) asks private teams to turn the roughly 156-acre course at 3925 Schaad Road into a smaller public golf course, a tournament-size field complex and supporting commercial space.
The RFP comes from the Sports Authority of the County of Knox and the City of Knoxville, working with Visit Knoxville. It is a draft. The Sports Authority plans to consider a final version in mid-November and issue it Nov. 16. Proposals would be due Jan. 22, 2027.
What the draft RFP asks for
The draft sets a minimum program in three parts, plus shared roads, parking, utilities and stormwater systems.
| Component | What the draft RFP calls for |
|---|---|
| Site | 3925 Schaad Road, Parcel ID 079 02806, about 156 acres |
| Golf | A new par-3 or 9-hole public course with practice and learning amenities; a lighted par-3 or hybrid may be offered as an add-on |
| Sports fields | Turf fields for major regional tournaments; preferred minimum of 10 full-size fields |
| Field sports | Soccer, lacrosse, flag football, ultimate frisbee and similar youth and adult sports |
| Commercial | Ancillary uses such as hotel, retail, housing and office; retail and hospitality are the primary focus |
| Land | Ground lease from the Sports Authority expected; a sale for commercial use considered only if essential |
| Public access | Golf may not be members-only; fields must be a significant addition to public community recreation |
Why the city and county want a change
The RFP names two problems. The golf course has deferred maintenance and needs modernizing, and the area is short on rectangular sports fields for practices, league play and major tournaments. It cites the City of Knoxville 2023 Golf Course Study, the Visit Knoxville 2024 Sports Complex Analysis and the city Parks and Recreation Master Plan as background.
The draft argues that a reconfigured golf product could broaden participation while freeing parts of the site for fields and related commercial development. One guiding principle reads: "Local during the week; tournaments on weekends."
Nothing is approved yet
The project page says the effort is still in the planning and evaluation stage and no final redevelopment plan has been approved. The RFP is explicit: issuing it, receiving proposals or picking a preferred proposal does not authorize redevelopment, commit public money, transfer the site or approve a financing plan.
Any plan still needs approvals from the City of Knoxville, Knox County and the Sports Authority. For the City Council's first vote on the idea, see Knoxville City Council Clears First Vote to Split Schaad Road Golf Course for a Multisport Complex.
How it could be paid for
The draft points to a financing framework in a memorandum of understanding among the city, county, Sports Authority and Visit Knoxville. Under that framework, the city Industrial Development Board would prepare an economic impact plan. New property tax revenue from the site, including the commercial uses, would go to that board and then to the Sports Authority to help pay debt on the recreation pieces. Proposers are asked to estimate that tax revenue.
The draft prefers leases and management agreements over selling land. A proposer that says commercial buildings cannot work without owning the land must explain why and give purchase terms.
Public access rules in the draft
The golf facility must stay open to the public and cannot become members-only. Proposers must outline public tee times, any resident and nonresident pricing, affordable play, and youth and beginner programs.
For the fields, each proposal must show when and how the community can use them and how prices will be set, including a sample fee schedule and reduced-rate ideas. Proposals must also include protections so tournament scheduling or dynamic pricing does not erode promised community access.
The public gets another look at the proposals
Comments do not end Nov. 2. The draft says responsive proposals will be made public and residents can comment before the Sports Authority makes a recommendation. The Sports Authority or Visit Knoxville would publish the proposals with a neutral comparison summary, and shortlisted teams would present in public with a moderated question-and-answer session. Written comments would be accepted for at least seven days after that forum, and the evaluation committee would get a public comment report before final scoring.
Timeline
- Oct. 15, 2026 — Public review draft of the RFP released.
- Oct. 22 and Oct. 27 — Listening session and Sports Authority public hearing at the clubhouse (both held).
- Mon., Nov. 2 — Written public comment period on the draft RFP closes.
- Nov. 6 — Public comment and disposition summary published.
- Mid-November — Sports Authority considers the final RFP; issue date Nov. 16.
- Nov. 30 — Pre-proposal conference and site tour.
- Jan. 22, 2027 — Proposals due.
- Feb. 4, 2027 — Public comment forum on proposals.
- Late March 2027 — Sports Authority considers a recommendation to the city and county.
The project page says these dates are tentative and may change. Questions and comments go to Kim Bumpas at Visit Knoxville, kbumpas@knoxville.org.
What it means for Northwest Knoxville homeowners
Traffic and land use near Schaad Road
A tournament complex with 10 or more fields, plus hotel or retail space, would change weekend traffic on Schaad Road and nearby streets. Knox County is already lining up land for road work in the area; see Knox County Lines Up Land Buys for Tipton Station Roundabout, Schaad Road Signal and Bakertown Widening.
What buyers will ask
Buyers near the course will want to know what happens to the open space. Today the honest answer is that the plan is in a draft RFP, with proposals due in January and city and county approval still required. Ancillary housing is one of the uses the draft lists, so watch for it in the proposals. For other rezonings in this part of the county, see Knox Planning’s Nov. 12 Rezoning Docket: 12 Units an Acre on South Northshore Drive, a Wooddale Downzoning and a Karns Cluster.
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When does public comment close on the Knoxville Municipal Golf Course RFP?
The written public comment period on the draft RFP closes Nov. 2, 2026. A comment and disposition summary is set for Nov. 6, and the final RFP is set to be issued Nov. 16.
What would replace the current Knoxville Municipal Golf Course?
The draft RFP calls for a new par-3 or 9-hole public course, turf fields for regional tournaments with a preferred minimum of 10 full-size fields, and ancillary commercial uses such as hotel and retail.
Has the Schaad Road golf course redevelopment been approved?
No. The project page says no final redevelopment plan has been approved, and the RFP says selecting a proposal does not authorize redevelopment or commit public funding.
Will the new golf course be public?
Yes. The draft says the golf facility must remain open for public use and may not be operated as a members-only facility.
When are proposals due?
Under the tentative timeline, proposals are due Jan. 22, 2027, with a public comment forum Feb. 4, 2027, and a Sports Authority recommendation considered in late March 2027.
Source links
- Visit Knoxville / Knoxville–Knox County Sports Authority — Knoxville Municipal Golf Course Redevelopment project page
- Sports Authority — Draft Request for Proposals, Knoxville Municipal Golf Course redevelopment (draft for comment)
More from Kings of Real Estate
Related local news:
- Knoxville City Council Clears First Vote to Split Schaad Road Golf Course for a Multisport Complex
- Knox County Lines Up Land Buys for Tipton Station Roundabout, Schaad Road Signal and Bakertown Widening
- Knox Planning’s Nov. 12 Rezoning Docket: 12 Units an Acre on South Northshore Drive, a Wooddale Downzoning and a Karns Cluster
- How fast do homes sell in Karns?
- What does it cost to sell a house in Knoxville?
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