City officials announced plans to build a new stadium and a new YMCA "to serve the north Omaha community."The stadium will be home to North High athletes, and it will be used for football, soccer, and other sports and activities.It will include a press box, concessions, bathrooms, equipment storage, and more. The stadium will hold about as many people as Northwest and Central High's stadiums.The new stadium and Butler-Gast YMCA "will enhance athletics and school engagement at North High while creating accessible, affordable health, wellness and development opportunities for North Omaha communities.""When I heard about this project, I was knocked off my feet,” said Gene Haynes, formerly the principal of North High and a teacher and an administrator in the Omaha Public Schools for more than 40 years. “The first game at the new stadium will be a homecoming for all of the current students and, on top of that, for generations of former students.” The project is totally funded by local and private foundations and a North and South Omaha Recovery Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.The current Butler-Gast YMCA will be relocated to 34th and Ames avenues."Together, these facilities create an environment for excellence in competition, sportsmanship and teamwork, access to fitness, recreation and wellness programs, and a community space where Viking fans will gather to celebrate victories of years past and future," said Mayor Jean Stothert. As of Friday, the YMCA is giving membership access to all 12 YMCA locations at no cost to all of the active Butler-Gast members after the facility's closure and construction.The project timeline includes demolition and construction on both the YMCA and stadium in the fall of 2025, and in the summer of 2027, both will open to the public. A website has been launched for the community to follow along with the latest updates. Click the link here to view it.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand | OMAHA, Neb. — City officials announced plans to build a new stadium and a new YMCA "to serve the north Omaha community."The stadium will be home to North High athletes, and it will be used for football, soccer, and other sports and activities. Advertisement It will include a press box, concessions, bathrooms, equipment storage, and more. The stadium will hold about as many people as Northwest and Central High's stadiums.The new stadium and Butler-Gast YMCA "will enhance athletics and school engagement at North High while creating accessible, affordable health, wellness and development opportunities for North Omaha communities.""When I heard about this project, I was knocked off my feet,” said Gene Haynes, formerly the principal of North High and a teacher and an administrator in the Omaha Public Schools for more than 40 years. “The first game at the new stadium will be a homecoming for all of the current students and, on top of that, for generations of former students.” The project is totally funded by local and private foundations and a North and South Omaha Recovery Grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The current Butler-Gast YMCA will be relocated to 34th and Ames avenues. "Together, these facilities create an environment for excellence in competition, sportsmanship and teamwork, access to fitness, recreation and wellness programs, and a community space where Viking fans will gather to celebrate victories of years past and future," said Mayor Jean Stothert. As of Friday, the YMCA is giving membership access to all 12 YMCA locations at no cost to all of the active Butler-Gast members after the facility's closure and construction.The project timeline includes demolition and construction on both the YMCA and stadium in the fall of 2025, and in the summer of 2027, both will open to the public. A website has been launched for the community to follow along with the latest updates. Click the link here to view it.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports