UTC Plans to Save Historic Engel Stadium

Chattanoogan.com
April 5, 2011

UTC is committed to saving historic Engel Stadium, UTC's Dr. Richard Brown said Tuesday.

He told the City Council the longtime home of the Chattanooga Lookouts that has fallen into a dilapidated condition is "a local icon."

Dr. Brown said UTC will work with the Engel Foundation on restoring the stadium and putting it to new use.

He said he would like to see a baseball museum in the stadium and have the field available for use by a variety of baseball teams, including inner city youth.

The city and county are transferring the stadium to UTC. The process has been ongoing for several years, but Dr. Brown said he expects it to be completed in about 90 days.

The City Council voted Tuesday to allow UTC to move ahead with access to the stadium.

Dr. Brown said UTC will now have 28 acres at the Engel Stadium site.

He said $2 million was already spent to build intramural fields at the south end of the property.

Dr. Brown said a sports complex that will include a track up to NCAA standards and a soccer field will be in the middle of the property.

Tennessee Temple University was the last baseball team to use the stadium. But it has been told it cannot use the stadium this spring.

Article courtesy of Chattanoogan.com: http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_198297.asp