‘World-class’ youth volleyball facility proposed for north Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, former Husker Volleyball Coach John Cook and community leaders announced a proposed youth volleyball facility for north Lincoln on Thursday morning.

The Nebraska for Volleyball (N4VB) facility would be located near 30th and Folkways and included into the proposed development for that area.

The $16 million dollar project would be funded through some reallocation of state sales tax from businesses in the immediate area as well as $4 million in private funding. The City of Lincoln will be a co-applicant for the sales tax re-allocation that would have to be approved by Governor Jim Pillen and by the residents of Lincoln. That ballot initiative may be included in the 2026 scheduled election, or possibly with a special election.

The proposed facility would initially have eight volleyball courts, with plans to expand to 12 courts.

Diane Mendenhall, N4VB Board Member, said the new facility is designed to offer more recreational player opportunities, increase the number of weekend volleyball tournaments in Lincoln and provide those opportunities at a lower cost than clubs charge for competitive volleyball. More than half of players not admitted to local volleyball programs are excluded due to capacity constraints, not on the grounds of talent or ability, she said.

“We intend to create a world-class training facility for Nebraska’s homegrown talent – without the world-class price of admission,” Mendenhall said. “And in the process, we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible in the sport of volleyball, just as Nebraska has always done.”

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