THE DETAILS

This project was a personal one to the George Armour Ewart, Architect team. Our firm has been actively involved with the local non-profit organization, Emerald Youth Foundation, since its inception over 30 years ago. Today, George Ewart serves on the board of directors for the sports council for inner city youth and our firm welcomes opportunities to oversee foundation activities, help out at events, and spread the word about Emerald Youth’s mission.

Most recently, our team worked with Emerald Youth and Johnson & Galyon Construction to transform a previous hotspot for crime into a location for truce and hope among community members in the Lonsdale area. As the main architects on the job, our team enjoyed getting the chance to combine what we love about design with what we love about our community.

OUR APPROACH

The new building for this project, the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex, was a massive undertaking that “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.”1 Moving forward, we knew it would positively affect the community’s next generations, so getting every detail right was a must. One challenge during this project was insulating the facility from outside gang activity. It was critical that this complex provides solace and protection, so local youth can continue to thrive in a safe environment long-term. To overcome this obstacle, we first met with the city to secure a parcel of land and local gang leaders to secure a truce for the location. Then, our team began planning for the facility’s design—starting with what would benefit the community most in this space. Today, the facility includes:

● Two Gymnasiums (includes basketball courts)
● Two Large Outdoor Fields (features synthetic turf)
● Calling & Career Center
● Worship & Community Rooms
● Exercise & Fitness Rooms
● Locker Rooms
● Performing Arts Room (includes a stage)
● Office & Study Spaces
● Concession Area & Kitchen

“Additionally, a Health Center [is] housed in the facility, operated independently by Cherokee Health Systems… and will provide a continuum of patient-centered healthcare services with an emphasis on wellness and prevention, as well as treatment of acute and chronic conditions.”¹

THE OUTCOME

This state-of-the-art facility provides Lonsdale area youth with 35,000 square-feet of space, so they can enjoy a wide variety of recreational, educational, and Faith-based activities. The multi purpose facility and grounds offer after-school tutoring, performing arts activities, worship opportunities, games, exercise, and more. But more than that, it serves as a safe space.

Since the grand opening, the complex has become a positive place in the community for anyone looking for fun, hope, or encouragement. Most importantly, murder rates and crime in the area have also drastically diminished since the opening—making this project and its outcome even more rewarding for our team and everyone else involved.

¹ Crooks, John. “Emerald Youth Opens Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex at Lonsdale.” Emerald Youth Foundation, 24 Apr. 2020, www.emeraldyouth.org/press-releases/.