The Oxford Civic Center has become the cornerstone of the city’s fun, sports, community gatherings, and family fellowships since its opening fifty years ago on June 21, 1975.

City leaders first discussed the idea in 1968, and those discussions and plans stretched through the administrations of Mayors Alvis A. Hamric and Bester Adams, Jr.

Hamric and then-recreation director Earl Martin visited similar centers in Alabama and Georgia, then combined the best of what they saw.

After realizing Calhoun County did not have a venue large enough to host civic functions, the plans were updated to make the facility into an all-purpose civic building and recreation center.

Preliminary plans were approved by the city council in March 1969, but complications with funding for the swimming pool put the plans on hold.

The opening of Quintard Mall proved to be the answer as revenue from the mall helped the city better budget the bonds used to finance the center with a cost of $950,000.

There were some disagreements on where to place the center, but Martin was able to win his argument that the 110-acres of Oxford Lake Park, located at the end of McCullars Lane, was the ideal setting.

Construction began in August 1973 and, 22 months later, Oxford beamed with pride as the doors opened on the large and versatile gymnasium/auditorium, kitchen, upstairs dining area, and rooms for hobby classes, physical recreation, exercise, and entertainment for all age groups.

The popularity of the center caused the city council to approve a major expansion in 2011. Under the leadership of PARD Director Don Hudson, the $7.7 million project got underway in June of that year and was completed in 2013.

The renovation added a two-story wing to the back side of the building, additional restrooms, and increased the meeting room space from 100 to 300-plus.

The foresight of Martin’s choice for placement of the center has proven to be correct, as the acreage surrounding the center has seen the development of softball fields, picnic areas, tennis and pickleball courts, and a bicycle jump track.

The Oxford Civic Center has also contributed significantly to the city’s economic growth by hosting major events and through the addition of a new entrance built on Recreation Drive, which is home to several businesses.