West Haymarket JPA & Lincoln Youth Complex Board Finalize Agreement

West Haymarket JPA & Lincoln Youth Complex Board Finalize Agreement

Published on April 02, 2024

West Haymarket JPA announces additional investment in Sandhills Global Youth Complex

West Haymarket Joint Public Agency (JPA) and Lincoln Youth Complex (LYC) officials today announced they have finalized an agreement to complete the funding goal and support the scheduled completion of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex on time.

Under the draft agreement, the JPA will contribute an additional $4.5 million to the project and LYC will raise an additional $2.25 million, enabling LYC to fully realize the vision of the complex. This brings the total funding mix for the project to $17.5 million in public funding and nearly $14 million in private philanthropy. The JPA will formally vote on this agreement during its Thursday, April 4 meeting.

"Collaboration between private and public sector partners has been instrumental in advancing this visionary project that will catalyze economic opportunity in Lincoln. The JPA's additional investment underscores our dedication to the creation of these ballfields, which will grow our local economy and quality of life," said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, JPA Chair.

The final agreement specifies that LYC will match 50% of the contribution through additional fundraising efforts, create a $2 million endowment for turf replacement by 2029, and guarantee specific design elements in time for opening day. The JPA funds will be distributed to LYC in three $1.5 million installments in 2026, 2027, and 2028. The need for this additional investment arises from cost escalations and a funding gap that emerged partially due to an anticipated State of Nebraska grant not coming to fruition.

"Making this additional JPA investment will help ensure this project becomes the economic multiplier it is intended to be," said Tim Clare, University of Nebraska Regent and JPA Board Vice Chair. "In the first year alone, this complex is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors to Lincoln and have a $9 million economic impact on the community. This project will truly be a game changer for Lincoln."

Once the agreement is approved by the JPA, the $17.5 million of public funding will consist of $9 million from the JPA, $4.5 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from the City of Lincoln, and $4 million of federal ARPA money from Lancaster County. The City has further contributed to the project by leasing the land for the project to LYC for 20 years for $1.

"Today's agreement between the JPA and the LYC board continues this project's trajectory as a true public-private partnership," said Tom Beckius, City Council Chair and JPA Board Secretary. "Through our financial investment and LYC's hard work, we are turning this vision into a reality and ensuring our community will be home to a top tier baseball and softball facility."

The complex will be home to eight artificial turf fields. Five of the fields will be for youth baseball and softball and two will be baseball and softball stadiums for Nebraska Wesleyan University. The facility will also be home to a field for Homer's Heroes for use by children with physical and intellectual disabilities. Construction is anticipated to be completed in spring 2025.

"The Sandhills Global Youth Complex will be the first baseball and softball complex of its kind in the state of Nebraska where players of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities come together to compete at a facility like this," said Charlie Colón, current LYC board president.

"This funding agreement moves us that much closer to making this nearly twenty-year-old vision a reality. We thank the JPA members for supporting this project and look forward to saying 'play ball' in 2025," added Brad Korell, former LYC board president.

For more information about the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, visit https://lincolnyouthcomplex.com/.

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