Lincoln voters will decide in November whether to move forward with a proposed eight-court youth volleyball complex in north Lincoln. The nonprofit N4VB announced Tuesday that the proposal will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The facility is proposed for 30th Street and Folkways Boulevard.
N4VB Executive Director Maggie Griffin, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Malone Center CEO John Goodwin and Visit Lincoln Sports Director Derek Bombeck announced the measure. If approved, the estimated $17 million project would be financed in part through Nebraska’s sports-specific turnback tax. City officials say the proposal would not create a new or increased local tax.
About 75% of the project’s expected cost could be financed through the turnback program, which redirects a portion of state sales tax revenue generated by the project and surrounding new development back to Lincoln. The remaining costs would be privately funded.
The proposed complex is intended to expand youth volleyball opportunities while also attracting regional tournaments and visitors to Lincoln. Bombeck said sports tourism has a $274.5 billion economic impact nationwide and said the facility could help Lincoln compete for more youth tournaments.
N4VB also plans to partner with the Malone Center to provide free and reduced-cost after-school programming if the project is approved. “Registration fees, travel costs and other expenses can quickly put organized sports out of reach for too many families,” Goodwin said. “The N4VB volleyball complex helps change that.”
Griffin, a former Nebraska volleyball player and coach, said expanding access for children who might otherwise be unable to participate is a central goal of the project. “N4VB is a win for Lincoln taxpayers, Lincoln businesses and Lincoln families,” Griffin said.
The proposed facility would be located at 30th Street and Folkways Boulevard in north Lincoln. N4VB is a Nebraska nonprofit focused on expanding access to youth volleyball.