One of the world’s largest manufacturers of composite fiberglass swimming pools, Leisure Pools, will invest $6.2 million to open its corporate headquarters and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Knoxville, Tennessee. This facility, which will create 240 jobs in Knox County, will also service increased demand along the East Coast.

Leisure Pools is purchasing the former Sea Ray Island Plant located at Forks of the River Industrial Park, which consists of an 80-acre facility with over 350,000 square feet of space in multiple buildings on site. This facility will enable Leisure Pools to develop the largest and most technologically innovative composite fiberglass swimming-pool manufacturing facility in the world. Leisure Pools also plans to use this location to recruit and train both new and existing dealers. Sea Ray headquarters is moving to downtown Knoxville, joining its parent company Brunswick Boat Group in the First Tennessee Building.”

“As a result of continued growth, Leisure Pools undertook a nationwide search to identify a larger manufacturing site to relocate the manufacturing operations and the company’s headquarters,” Leisure Pools President David Pain said. “Knoxville was identified as the ideal location for Leisure Pools to relocate due to a highly skilled composite workforce and its excellent geographical location to a large portion of our 250+ strong dealer network in North America. Another key deciding factor was the excellent support and assistance offered by the state of Tennessee Economic and Community Development team, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and Knox County to make this project a reality.”

“Tennessee continues to prove its competitiveness in today’s global economy,” Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “When a highly respected international company like Leisure Pools chooses to grow in our state, it’s another example of how our ideal location, top-notch workforce and strong business climate sets us apart. Leisure Pools is a welcome addition to Tennessee, and I appreciate their investment in Knox County.”

“The Innovation Valley welcomes Leisure Pools to our region. This project shows how economic development partnerships can work by the state of Tennessee, the TVA, Knox County and the Knoxville Utilities Board all working together to make it happen,” Knoxville Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Doug Lawyer said.

“TVA congratulates Leisure Pools on its decision to locate a new manufacturing facility in Knoxville,’’ TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “TVA and Knoxville Utilities Board are pleased to be partners on the project team with the state of Tennessee, the Knoxville Chamber, the city of Knoxville and Knox County officials to assist companies like Leisure Pools to invest and add quality jobs for area residents.”