Farm and Forge fills a notable void in College Grove, Tennessee, an area lacking high-level athletic training facilities. The 118-acre complex, designed by Northworks and built by J.E. Dunn, represents a significant private investment in youth sports infrastructure south of Nashville.
The facility’s scope extends across multiple sports disciplines. The tennis campus includes 18 courts split between 12 indoor and six clay courts, with outdoor courts equipped with advanced scoring technology and Musco lighting systems.
Football training centers around a full-sized outdoor field featuring NFL combine-style sprint lines, artificial turf training hills, elevated filming platforms, and dedicated hydration and recovery zones. The design mirrors professional training environments while remaining accessible to youth programs.
The centerpiece is the two-story Strength, Performance and Recovery Center (SPARC), an 82,000-square-foot facility housing a 70-yard turf field, four-lane track, college-level fitness center with 16 weight racks, and an inclined turf hill. The second level includes co-working space, a juice bar, and golf simulator.
Revenue Strategy and Staffing Scale
“There is a time to bring quality and a time to get gritty,” said Tyler Gaffney, Farm and Forge’s athletic director who played seven NFL seasons. “I’m wearing that hat always, but if we can withstand the burn on certain spends, then we’re going to.”
Revenue streams span sponsorship opportunities, including naming rights for training hills, tennis instruction and league play, and a non-residential academy. The facility will host youth tournaments, camps, and offseason training for professional athletes. SPARC membership fees represent a future revenue driver, though pricing remains under development.
Strategic Implications for Regional Youth Sports
Farm and Forge’s model combines elite training infrastructure with community access, addressing both market segments through shared facilities. The approach could influence similar developments in markets lacking comprehensive youth sports facilities.
The facility’s fall opening positions it to capture both recreational and competitive training demand during peak youth sports seasons. Its proximity to Nashville provides access to a substantial metropolitan market while serving underserved suburban communities.
via: SBJ / Farm and Forge
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