Civil Municipal Magazine Aug 2023

117 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 4, ISSUE 8 HARRISON ARKANSAS the Creekside Complex, a more than $23 million project that is aimed at bringing a top-notch community center to Harrison. “We were able to utilize an old Harrison District School complex,” he recounts. “It has a 1951 court that seats nearly 2,000 people. There is a lot of history and tradition in that building.” The complex will feature a $9 million aquatic center with three pools, and a new community center with recreation options, along with computer labs, gaming rooms, and party rooms, among other things. Along with the original court, Creekside will offer two additional courts, which Jackson believes will be a game changer for the town. “This will be huge for our downtown area and tourism. We’ll have five courts within one block. By having that available, you can attract people from all over the country to come here for tournaments. People want to come to our area because we’re the heart of the Ozarks, and we have Branson 25 miles up the road. They love to come to Harrison.” Additionally, the town has completed a significant upgrade to its sports complex, investing $1.2 million to install new artificial turf on seven fields. “That attracts tournaments from all over the country to come here. We have 130 teams coming in this week that will be playing at this facility,” he portrays. “That is enormous for our economy. Of course, all the hotel rooms are full, it’ll probably fill up most of Branson, and restaurants will be nuts. That goes on all through the fall; we’ll be having tournaments there.” Harrison is also expanding the number of active transportation networks throughout the community. “We have trails right now all around the creek, and they will continue through town to the high school. We’re going to have a total of about 10 miles of trails,” Jackson