Emerald Youth Opens Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex At Lonsdale
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex operated by Emerald Youth Foundation officially opened Thursday afternoon.
Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Elisabeth and Bill Sansom, Emerald Youth Foundation President and CEO Steve Diggs and Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero were joined by Emerald Youth children at a grand opening celebration and open house attended by hundreds of guests and community members.
Located in the heart of Lonsdale, the complex is situated along Texas Avenue between Stonewall and Sherman Streets and includes a more than 30,000 square foot multipurpose facility featuring a learning center; two full-size gymnasiums with basketball courts, locker rooms, concessions and kitchen; fitness area with weight room, dance/aerobics room and cardio theater; assembly room for gatherings; and a worship arts area with practice rooms. The complex also includes two multipurpose synthetic turf fields for soccer, flag football and other sports.
Capital expenses for the project total approximately $8 million and were generously funded by Dee and Jimmy Haslam and Elisabeth and Bill Sansom. In addition to purchasing the land itself, each family contributed roughly half the construction costs. The property will now be leased to Emerald Youth for $1 a year.
Uniquely, the project also required approval from multiple legislative bodies including Knoxville City Council, Knox County Commission, the Knox County Board of Education, as well as the board of Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation. The City of Knoxville also contributed to the project by upgrading the infrastructure around the complex including additional sidewalks, streetlights and other amenities totaling $1 million.
“My message as we open this facility is very simply one of gratitude,” said Steve Diggs, president and CEO of Emerald Youth. “I am grateful to the owners who are not only contributing their resources to this project but believing with us that Knoxville is a city where every child, in every neighborhood, can have the opportunity for a full life – the kind of life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.
“I am also grateful for the leadership of the Lonsdale neighborhood who had the initial vision for this project and worked all along the way to ensure that it would become a reality.
“Most of all, I am grateful to the Lord for providing this incredible opportunity to engage more children and families in the heart of our city. May He receive all the glory,” said Diggs.
Additionally, a Health Center will be housed in the facility, operated independently by Cherokee Health Systems through a collaborative agreement between Cherokee Health Systems, The University of Tennessee Medical Center and Emerald Youth Foundation, and will provide a continuum of patient-centered health care services with an emphasis on wellness and prevention, as well as treatment of acute and chronic conditions.
The entities envision expanding beyond the four walls of the center and into the community through a variety of health-targeting programs including nutrition, fitness, health literacy and safer communities – all aimed at developing healthier young people and healthier families. Telemedicine will also be utilized to increase access.
“We are thrilled to be operating this new initiative, and we see this as a natural extension of the work we are already a part of in Knoxville,” said Dr. Roger Nooe, chairman of Cherokee Health Systems’ board of directors. “This is also a natural extension of the work of Emerald Youth has developed in the area of health and creating a healthy lifestyle for urban youth and families.”
“The University of Tennessee Medical Center is excited to partner with Cherokee Health Systems and Emerald Youth Foundation and work alongside neighborhood stakeholders to improve the health of the Lonsdale community,” said Dr. Keith Gray, senior vice president and chief medical officer at The University of Tennessee Medical Center. “Through our collaboration, the Health Center in the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex will combine the efforts of two trusted healthcare providers to eliminate the barrier of access to care, address acute and chronic conditions, and educate the community on disease prevention and health maintenance strategies that promote wellness. We believe that the Health Center, along with Emerald’s programmatic offerings, will help change the trajectory of Lonsdale.”
The project’s general contractor, Johnson & Galyon Construction, was hired by the owner families and ably coordinated the many vendors and subcontractors who contributed to the project. Architectural work was completed by George Armour Ewart Architect.
Funding for operational expenses was contributed by Candy & Coach Rick Barnes, Faith Promise Church, Siddiqi Foundation, Trinity Health Foundation and Winegardner Charities.
Volunteers to work with young people and additional private philanthropy to cover ongoing operating expenses are needed and interested businesses or individuals should visit www.emeraldyouth.org to learn more.
About Emerald Youth Foundation
Since 1991, Emerald Youth Foundation has worked to support Knoxville’s youth and prepare generations of Godly community leaders. Emerald Youth has engaged more than 25,000 children and young adults in a variety of community programs over nearly three decades. Every year, Emerald Youth serves more than 2,700 children, teens and young adults in the heart of Knoxville through its faith, learning and health programs.