Multiple youth sports facilities being built in Nebraska – Nebraska Public Media

By Aaron Bonderson , Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
April 25, 2025, 5 a.m. ·
At least five youth sports facilities are in the beginning phases of construction or opening up across Nebraska, including one in Lincoln holding its grand opening this weekend.
The Kearney SportsPlex opened its doors earlier this month. That $45 million indoor facility includes space for basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball, soccer, wrestling and pickleball.
And farther southwest, plans are in place to construct a $17 million recreation center in McCook.
Omaha secured $45 million in grant funding to break ground on the Levi Carter Park youth basketball and volleyball facility in early April.
The Columbus Community Fieldhouse, estimated to cost $56 million, is being used for baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, tennis and pickleball. That facility held a grand opening in January.
On Saturday, the Sandhills Global Youth Complex in Lincoln will officially launch after hosting about 250 games already this year. The $32 million facility has several turf baseball and softball fields and will accommodate youths ages 8 to 18.
“It's nice to be able to have a place of quality, right in the state, right next to downtown Lincoln,” said Joe Fagler, the complex’s executive director.
Nebraska Wesleyan University softball and baseball also call the facility home.
It will bring youth tournaments to Nebraska that previously were only available out of state, Fagler said.
“Teams from Nebraska (used to) have to leave the state to go to Kansas City or Des Moines or Sioux Falls or Wichita, regionally to see different competition and better competition and better facilities," he said.
Donations from former Husker baseball legends Darin Erstad and Alex Gordon, along with city of Lincoln funding, helped get the project off the ground.
The complex is expected to have an estimated $15 million economic impact for Lincoln in the first year, he said, with that number expected to jump to $20 million in five years.
There’s a potential for rain on Saturday, so check the Sandhills Global Youth Complex social media pages like Facebook, X and Instagram for information on postponements.
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