City Announces Proposal for New Youth Volleyball Facility

 

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and community representatives today said a partnership between the City of Lincoln and Nebraska for Volleyball (N4VB) to build a proposed volleyball facility at 30th and Folkways Blvd. would grow Lincoln’s economy, create more playing opportunities for recreational volleyball players in the community and boost Lincoln’s status as a youth sport destination. 

 

“Our work to promote youth sports produces major wins for our kids, our local economy, and our vision to make Lincoln a premier location for youth sports,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “These courts will attract more visitors to our community, stimulate our local economy, and affirm Lincoln’s growing reputation as the volleyball capital of the nation.”

Mayor Gaylor Baird announced that the City has agreed to be a co-applicant with N4VB to use the Sports Facilities Financing Act to fund construction of the new $16 million facility.

 

The funding process would allow the portion of sales tax the State of Nebraska receives from purchases made near the new volleyball courts to be “turned back” and invested in the facility’s construction. This would not be a new or increased tax, but a dedicated allocation of State sales tax revenue collected within 600 yards of the proposed facility. The City of Lincoln does not assume any financial liability by agreeing to be a partner.

 

N4VB estimates being able to finance about $12 million of the $16 million total construction cost with the turnback tax. The other $4 million will be raised privately.

 

The process for use of the turnback tax first requires approval by the Nebraska governor and then approval by Lincoln voters in an election. A potential election is dependent on gubernatorial approval and is anticipated to take place sometime in 2026.

 

If approved, the facility would feature eight courts with the capacity to expand to 12.

 

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the news conference were City Councilmember Sändra Washington; Diane Mendenhall, N4VB Board Member and Omaha Supernovas President; Andrew Lerner, Partner, The Lerner Company; and Derek Bombeck, Visit Lincoln Sports Director. Former Husker Volleyball Head Coach John Cook, who could not attend the news conference, provided video remarks.

 

Mendenhall said the new facility is designed to offer more recreational player opportunities, increase the number of weekend volleyball tournaments in Lincoln and provide those opportunities at a lower cost than clubs charge for competitive volleyball. More than half of players not admitted to local volleyball programs are excluded due to capacity constraints, not on the grounds of talent or ability, she said.

 

“We intend to create a world-class training facility for Nebraska’s homegrown talent – without the world-class price of admission,” Mendenhall said. “And in the process, we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible in the sport of volleyball, just as Nebraska has always done.”

 

Bombeck said youth and amateur sports generated more than $114 billion in economic impact nationwide in 2024. A new volleyball facility could bring those financial benefits to Lincoln, he said.

 

“We know that when athletes and their families visit Lincoln, they may come for the volleyball, but they will also eat in our restaurants, stay in our hotels, shop in our stories and explore our city,” Bombeck said. “If we invest in ourselves, Lincoln can enjoy a bigger slice of that pie.” 

 

Lerner thanked all the partners for their work on the youth volleyball center project, a place he said that would “bring people together.”

 

“Today marks an exciting milestone – not just for this development, but for the entire Lincoln community. This facility is more than just volleyball courts. It’s a place where young athletes will grow, families will gather, and community will thrive,” Lerner said.

 

Washington said the new facility helps meet the community’s demand for court space and will attract players from across the region.

 

“By expanding access to the game, we promote youth physical and mental health, foster a lifelong love of volleyball, and reinvest revenue from youth sports tourism into City services that enhance everyone’s quality of life,” Washington said.

 

For more information on the proposed volleyball facility, visit n4vb.org.