KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – While crews put the finishing touches on Covenant Health Park, a hiring event was held on Saturday to make sure the stadium would be equipped with enough staff members for the Knoxville Smokies baseball games starting in April.

“We’re hiring so many people to come into Covenant Health Park and hopefully be part of those memories that last a lifetime,” Aris Theofanopoulos, the assistant general manager of Marketing with the Knoxville Smokies, said.

Theofanopoulos said the hiring event is huge in making sure they are prepared for their home opener.

“We’re looking to hire as many people as possible for our upcoming season, and our season begins in April,” Theofanopoulos said.

Covenant Health Park brings tons of jobs into downtown Knoxville, a good opportunity for East Tennesseans in need of income over the spring and summer.

“I think the ballpark is conveniently located, so it will be an available to a lot of people in the area,” Renee Johnson said.

Johnson applied to work at the stadium this year, helping both the Smokies and One Knox SC.

“These jobs are something that people look forward to, some of them are just summer jobs, and for others that’s what their livelihood is. We love to work together with our community and integrate Smokies baseball, soccer, professional sports catering with Knoxville,” Theofanopoulos said.

One Knox SC, who will also be using this stadium, joined the hiring event, hoping to get people to help with soccer as well.

“We’re really community-focused, and with Covenant Health Park being downtown, we want to offer these part-time roles to everyone in the area, so we’re excited to be here today and then also join the Smokies on March 15 to offer these roles to the community and just continue to help grow Knoxville,” Erin Gilroy with One Knox SC said.

No matter the use, the the Smokies said their work is all about people.

“This is something that Smokies baseball has been doing for a number of seasons, we love connecting with our community,” Theofanopoulos said.

There will be two other hiring events throughout the month on March 8 at The Change Center on Harriet Tubman Street and on March 15 at Knoxville Area Urban League on East 5th Avenue.

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