Olive Branch soccer complex expansion begins

Photo: Crews are working on the early stages expanding the George M. Harrison Soccer Complex in Olive Branch. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

Work is underway at the George M. Harrison Soccer Complex on Church Road in Olive Branch to expand the facility.  Mayor Ken Adams said Thursday crews are filling in a section of the pond to begin the work of expanding the parking along the complex. 

It’s all part of a project this year that will add four new soccer fields, a brand new concessions/restroom facility, and a multi-use walking trail that will connect to Ross Road. After expansion, the complex will have seven international-sized fields and two practice fields, which Adams said will get used when Parks and Recreations are not using them. 

“We allow citizens to practice on our fields every day and every night when we’re not using them. Various cities do that,” Adams said.  

As part of the project, parking at the complex is being expanded with 405 additional spaces. 

According to Olive Branch Parks and Recreation, about 1,600 participants use the complex during its spring and fall soccer seasons.  

Adams said the cost of the project is coming through the city’s one-percent hotel-motel tax.  

“Approximately $3.5 million is bonded,” said Adams. “The one-percent hotel-motel tax is going to cover the funding for the loan to borrow the $3.5 million for those soccer fields.”

In the monthly newsletter sent to city residents, the mayor also noted that construction of the new animal shelter is underway with now up at the new site, expected to be finished at the end of 2025. Utility lines and a foundation have been installed at the site of the city’s new Public Works facility, located behind the city’s police headquarters on state Highway 178. Adams added that the Homer Skelton Foundation has provided a donation to allow the city to move forward on the construction of six pickleball courts and a restroom facility at the Olive Branch City Park.