Nonprofit, city leaders launch campaign for north Lincoln youth volleyball complex

The campaign is asking city voters who show up to the polls on Nov. 3 to say yes to allowing the nonprofit, N4VB, to take advantage of a form of financial assistance from the state of Nebraska called a "turnback tax."

While a turnback tax is not a new or increased tax, it would redirect a portion of state sales tax revenue generated by the complex and new development nearby back to the city to help pay for the complex's construction.

"It's important to note that voting for N4VB will not raise our taxes," N4VB founder Maggie Griffin, a former Husker athlete, stressed at a news conference with Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and John Goodwin, CEO of the Malone Center.

The youth-focused, $17-million complex near the intersection of North 30th Street and Folkways Boulevard would have eight volleyball courts, with the ability to expand to 12.

Griffin said there will be a special emphasis on serving kids who may not otherwise have an opportunity to play volleyball.

"That includes free and low-cost clinics for elementary and middle school kids, scholarship-based teams and skill-building programs, partnerships with Title I schools and after-school programs, and a mentorship network to help guide the next generation of volleyball players in Nebraska," Griffin said.

N4VB projects that about 420,000 people would visit the facility during its first full year.

Derek Bombeck, sports director at Visit Lincoln, said in the 12 months after construction starts, construction and operations at the complex are projected to generate $51 million of economic impact on the city.

"In the years to follow, we estimate the annual economic impact (to be) anywhere from $20 (million) to $25 million, as visitors stay in Lincoln hotels, eat at Lincoln restaurants and experience everything that our great city has to offer," Bombeck said.

Last year, the city of Lincoln and N4VB jointly applied to a five-member state board that includes the governor and state treasurer for the turnback tax.

The "sports arena facility financing assistance" board met in May and considered 11 projects across the state, ultimately approving a turnback tax for only N4VB and a professional soccer stadium in Omaha.

The turnback tax cannot go into effect without the board's approval first and then approval from local voters.

Gaylor Baird said Tuesday that the turnback tax, which would be in effect for no more than 20 years, could pay for up to 75% of the construction costs of the N4VB facility. N4VB would have to raise the rest of the funds privately.

"This facility would not be possible without this tool, just based on the cost that it would require for a facility like this," Griffin said.

Griffin added tons of other cities in the region are building volleyball facilities like the one N4VB is proposing, including Omaha, Des Moines and Sioux Falls. Kansas City already has four or five volleyball-specific facilities, she said.

If voters approve the measure, construction could begin in spring or summer 2027, with the complex expected to be completed in fall 2028.

The Malone Center, which aims to foster unity and prosperity across Lincoln while honoring the city's Black heritage, plans to lead the after-school programming at N4VB.

"For us, this is about much more than keeping kids and our youth busy after school," Goodwin said. "It's about helping young people develop confidence, leadership, character, relationships and a vision for their future. They have opportunities to learn from mentors, build new skills and understand that where they start doesn't determine where they finish."