State announced on Monday with a projected December 2027 completion date

WLAF’s Charlie Hutson via Eagle I shares this look from the back of the property toward the four lane. The ballfields will be near the back of the complex.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- On Monday, the awarding of significant grant dollars breathed new life into a long talked about proposed sports complex for the City of La Follette. The City has been awarded a $2,773,000.00 grant to go toward the construction of the sports complex, according to officials with TDEC.

The yellow area is designated for the sports complex.

It will be built on a portion of 18 acres of land the City of La Follette owns along the four lane that sits between Independence Lane and Bojangles near Roane State Community College. The City currently has the land listed for sale, and that will likely change, at least in some way.

This view is from the four lane and back.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) Office of Outdoor Recreation Monday announced $22,059,191 in grants from the Local Parks and Recreation Fund (LPRF) program, the Tennessee Recreation Initiative Program (TRIP), and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) for 31 communities across the state. Of those 31 communities, only three others were awarded more grant dollars than La Follette; Kingsport, Hendersonville and Williamson County.

Of the 31 communities receiving grant dollars, only three others were awarded more grant dollars than La Follette; Kingsport, Hendersonville and Williamson County.

The City of La Follette’s application includes an access road, parking lot with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) parking, three baseball/softball ballfields (200-feet each), a restroom/concession building and more during Phase I of the project. There will be room available for later development of soccer fields.

The grant requires a 50/50 match, based on the application and grant. The value of the property will provide a portion of the City’s match. Cash will be used for the remainder of the City’s match, according to the application.

There is a three-year timeline beginning in November with an environmental review. Construction is to begin by April 2027 with a December 2027 completion date projected. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/15/2025-6AM)

2 Replies to “Nearly $3M grant coming to La Follette to build sports complex”

  1. It would be nice to see the city and county build some type of recreational facilities that kids other than sports enthusiasts would benefit from. The biggest percentage are not into sports.

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