CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The Clarksville City Council voted Thursday to purchase close to 400 acres near Exit 8 of I-24 for a proposed Athletic Complex.
The $6.5 million for the land purchase had already been approved by the council in the city budget and passed by a 7-5 vote.
Councilman Geno Grubs who voted in favor of the complex said city leaders need to prepare for future growth and especially for the youth of Clarksville so they will have a facility where they can have fun and play sports.
Councilman David Allen was not in favor of the proposed site of the athletic complex between Rossview Road and the Red River, saying the city will not reap the benefits of the facility. Allen supports the idea of a sports complex but feels the city would be better served if it were located on Tiny Town Road.
Mayor Kim McMillan talked about a “public spaces master plan survey” which is being conducted by the city through a consulting firm. The survey indicates that 80 percent of those responding said they would use a large scale regional recreation facility in Clarksville.
In the presentation of her annual budget in May of this year the mayor said that a multi-sport Athletic Complex, which would combine fields for baseball, soccer and other sports with a larger sports venue is a project that Clarksville needs.
There has been discussion of a partnership with the Nashville Predators for an ice hockey rink and National Sports Services, a company involved in minor league sports, has also expressed interest in bringing a baseball franchise to Clarksville.