University of Tennessee at Knoxville RecSports Fields at Sutherland Avenue

The Challenge

Barge Design Solutions was chosen to design a large intramural field complex at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK). This project involved the demolition of the married student housing complex, which consisted of a set of 1960s apartments occupying the 38-acre site along Sutherland Avenue. The demolition of the 50+ apartment buildings took place in 2011.

The site is bordered by residential areas on two sides, presenting dual challenges: coordinating construction to minimize disruptions for both the campus and the neighborhood, and designing a final product that would not hinder campus flow or negatively impact surrounding homes. Additionally, the site's proximity to Knoxville’s Third Creek required special considerations during the planning process.

The Solution

Barge designed a comprehensive sports complex featuring eight large, lighted multi-purpose sports fields, two dedicated, lighted softball fields, and two softball field "overlays" on the natural turf multi-purpose fields. The complex also includes a central administration and restroom building, a large pavilion, and a maintenance building.

The central building accommodates restrooms, an office, a training room, mechanical and electrical rooms, storage, and an equipment checkout area for students. The maintenance building features an office, restroom, and storage/shop space for maintenance equipment. Additionally, the complex includes a fenced outdoor storage area for various sporting equipment.

Among the multi-purpose fields, four are constructed with synthetic turf, making it one of the largest synthetic turf installations in Tennessee at the time of completion. The remaining four multi-purpose fields incorporate a "Cambridge" underground drainage system, designed to maintain playability shortly after rain and minimize field damage when wet. This system utilizes a herringbone pattern of 15-inch-deep trenches spaced 15 feet apart, containing a pipe at the bottom, topped with stone and sand. Water filters through these layers and is collected in the pipes, ultimately flowing to an irrigation water storage pond, where it is pumped back to irrigate the fields.

Barge also coordinated with the City of Knoxville to relocate existing drainage features across the site. The team prepared the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and erosion control plans, as well as the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Notice of Intent (NOI) for both the site demolition and field construction.

The Result

This collection of intramural fields serves as the primary location for outdoor intramural activities at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK). It provides ample space for soccer, flag football, and lacrosse while also accommodating softball on overlays. Although the facility is a few miles from UTK’s main campus, students can easily access the site via the Third Creek Greenway trail or the KTrans bus.

The $10.94 million sports complex features many sustainable design elements, including LED site lighting, landscaping with native species, and bio-swales that treat stormwater runoff from adjacent parking lots. This runoff is directed into a pond, which is also replenished by a well and serves as the irrigation source for the sports fields.

Musco Light Structure Green sports field lighting technology has been installed on the fields, expected to save 30% in energy costs compared to traditional systems and nearly eliminate light trespass into adjacent neighborhoods — a key consideration for local residents. The complex also includes a sophisticated video monitoring system for 24-hour surveillance and a lightning detection system to alert users of approaching inclement weather.

Additionally, Barge provided landscape architecture for streetscaping along Sutherland Avenue, preparing plans for transplanted trees that successfully preserved several large specimens. This effort enhances the sidewalks and buffers the intramural field complex from nearby streets, improving pedestrian access and the overall experience along Sutherland Avenue.

The project was recognized with the Outstanding Sports Facility award by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association.