📌 Key Takeaways
- Lincoln and Nebraska for Volleyball (N4VB) partner on $16 million, 8-court facility using state sales tax turnback financing
- $12 million funded through Sports Facilities Financing Act, $4 million raised privately with no city financial liability
- Facility addresses capacity constraints that exclude over half of local volleyball players due to space limitations
- Project requires Nebraska governor approval followed by Lincoln voter approval anticipated in 2026
- Youth sports generated $114 billion nationwide economic impact in 2024 according to Visit Lincoln Sports Director
🧠 Youth Sports Industry Takeaway
- State tax turnback financing eliminates municipal risk for sports facility development
- Capacity constraints, not talent, drive player exclusion in Lincoln volleyball market
- Public-private partnerships use economic impact data to justify facility investments
State Sales Tax Turnback Eliminates Municipal Financial Risk
The city of Lincoln Nebraska agreed to serve as co-applicant with Nebraska for Volleyball (N4VB) under the Sports Facilities Financing Act, which redirects existing state sales tax revenue rather than creating new taxes. The state sales tax collected within 600 yards of the proposed facility at 30th and Folkways Boulevard gets “turned back” to fund construction costs.
The arrangement covers approximately $12 million of the total $16 million project cost, with N4VB responsible for raising the remaining $4 million through private funding. The City of Lincoln does not assume any financial liability by agreeing to be a partner, according to the announcement.
The financing structure requires approval from Nebraska’s governor, then from Lincoln voters in an election anticipated for 2026. This dual-approval process provides both state oversight and local input on the facility development.
Documented Capacity Constraints Drive Facility Need
The facility proposal addresses documented capacity limitations in the Lincoln volleyball market. According to Diane Mendenhall, N4VB Board Member and Omaha Supernovas President, more than half of players not admitted to local volleyball programs face exclusion due to capacity constraints rather than talent or ability limitations.
“We intend to create a world-class training facility for Nebraska’s homegrown talent – without the world-class price of admission,” Mendenhall said. The facility would offer recreational programming at lower costs than existing competitive volleyball club fees.
The proposed facility would feature eight courts with expansion capability to 12 courts. The design targets increased weekend tournament opportunities and recreational programming. City Councilmember Sändra Washington said the facility helps meet community demand for court space and will attract players from across the region.
Economic Impact Data Supports Investment Case
Derek Bombeck, Visit Lincoln Sports Director, cited youth and amateur sports generating more than $114 billion in economic impact nationwide in 2024. “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.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird connected the facility to Lincoln’s positioning as a youth sports 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.”
The facility builds on Lincoln’s existing volleyball profile, supported by the University of Nebraska’s program success, to attract tournament hosting opportunities.
Partnership Structure and Development Timeline
The partnership between Lincoln and N4VB combines public financing mechanisms with private operational expertise. N4VB provides volleyball programming knowledge and private fundraising capacity, while the city provides access to state financing tools.
Andrew Lerner from The Lerner Company described the facility as creating community gathering space beyond volleyball programming. “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.
The project timeline depends on the two-stage approval process, with gubernatorial approval required before voter consideration. Former Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook provided video support for the announcement.
Facility Operations and Community Access Goals
Washington emphasized the facility’s role in promoting youth physical and mental health while fostering volleyball participation. “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.
The facility targets both local recreational needs and regional tournament hosting. Mendenhall said the new facility is designed to offer more recreational player opportunities, increase the number of weekend volleyball tournaments in Lincoln and provide opportunities at lower cost than clubs charge for competitive volleyball.
If approved, construction would proceed with the facility designed to serve both local recreational programming and regional tournament hosting, addressing the documented capacity constraints while generating visitor revenue for Lincoln.
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via: Lincoln Gov / City of Lincoln
