For many years, Oxford and Lafayette County residents traveled to Tupelo, Southaven and many other sports complexes to play baseball, soccer or softball.

Our city and county leaders, after many years of deliberation, decided to build FNC Park on Old Sardis Road for the youth of the city and county of Oxford. Built on 75 acres, FNC is home to five regulation soccer fields, eight baseball fields, three softball fields, four concession buildings and a state-of-the art BMX (bicycle motocross) track.

FNC is now the park of destination for so many of these teams. Parents want to come to Oxford for the restaurants, retail shops and Ole Miss athletic events. Anyone that has lived in our community has seen teams walking around the Square. The money these parents are spending is having a tremendous economic impact on Oxford and Lafayette County.

With the opening of The Graduate hotel and two more hotels under construction, the hotel and motel tax along with the 2 percent food and beverage tax should see a significant jump. More residents are able to find accommodations with additional rooms available, which will mean more dollars being spent in Oxford.

FNC just announced it will host two statewide tournaments and one national tournament during the month of October. The first tournament of the month will be from Oct. 2-4 and will feature the October Hard Hitter USSSA baseball tournament. This tournament will include teams from throughout the state and other areas.

Starting on Oct. 3, the Soccer Ole 3v3 tournament will begin and will feature teams from different regions. This tournament will feature boys and girls U6 to U18 through adult men and women leagues. More than 100 teams will participate.

FNC Park starting Oct. 17 will be one of 12 facilities across the nation to host the World Soccer 5v5 Tournament. The winner of the World Soccer Fives will represent the United States in the World Finals.

Brad Freeman, director of FNC Park, and his staff have done a wonderful job in creating a family atmosphere that people enjoy and continue to visit. As Freeman said, “Tournaments like these are a great way to build connections and the crowds that they draw create a lot of hype for the competitors. It is a great feeling to be able to witness it.”

If you haven’t visited the FNC facility, ride down Old Sardis Road and drive around the fields. You won’t be disappointed.