The park will include five lighted athletic fields.

"It's going to give us more space," said Parks and Recreation director Matt Smith. "We have teams that are aching to get onto practice fields. This is going to open up our practice times."

The site has existing fields, but those are overgrown. The fields will be regraded, and workers will install lighting and fencing. Smith hopes to complete the project within a year. The Vyas Community Park will also feature a playground, picnic shelters, a basketball court and possibly a skate park and tennis courts.

The new fields will allow the town to host tournaments, which bring in people from out of town and provide an economic boost to local businesses.

"I'm hoping it will be one of the major drawing points for Benson," Smith said. "We're a small town, and I'm extremely thankful for what we have."

Funding for the $400,000 project is coming from a variety of sources, including a state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant that the town is matching dollar for dollar. Also, Dr. P.K. Vyas donated $100,000, and the park is named for him.

But Smith isn't done raising money. In order to add a walking trail, concession stand, scoreboard and tennis courts, the town needs more funding. Last week, Benson commissioners approved a plan to allow major donors to get naming rights on their choice of town facilities, with the exception of the Singing Grove, which was built with a private donation.

Smith's fundraising proposal listed amounts for each town facility, but commissioners said they would consider offers of lower amounts.

"We could be pretty close to done with another $200,000 to $250,000," Smith said.

The park is the latest use the town has found for the old middle school campus. The Parks and Recreation Department already uses the gymnasium, and the school buildings are home to Not Just Another Community Center, The Pound Cake Co., Star Bread Co. and Johnston Community College classes. Smith said the community center will have access to the new fields.

"The town's making great use of the facility that the schools have," he said.