Sandhills Global Youth Complex celebrates grand opening and early operational success

The West Haymarket Joint Public Agency (JPA) meeting held on April 29, 2025, focused on significant updates regarding infrastructure improvements and the recent grand opening of the Sandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex. The meeting commenced with discussions on a comprehensive network system refresh for the arena, emphasizing enhancements beyond just Wi-Fi. This upgrade aims to improve internet bandwidth and speed for events, ensuring a better experience for attendees.

Following this, Jeff Maul, Executive Director of Visit Lincoln, provided an informative update on the Sandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex. He highlighted the successful grand opening event and reported that the complex is currently operational, hosting over 250 games and 303 practices since its inception. The excitement surrounding the facility has been palpable, with significant community engagement and positive feedback on social media.

Joe Fagler, Executive Director of the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, detailed the operational success, noting that the complex has hosted numerous local baseball games and is preparing for 17 tournaments scheduled from April through July. The facility has attracted teams from various states, contributing to an expected economic impact of $15 to $20 million within its first year, significantly exceeding initial projections.

The meeting also addressed the importance of accessibility, with the complex featuring an all-accessible field and playground, which has been well-received by the community. Plans for future programming include free camps for local youth, aimed at fostering a love for baseball and softball among children of all abilities.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the successful launch of the Sandhills Global Lincoln Youth Complex and its anticipated positive impact on the local economy and community engagement. The JPA expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition and emphasized the importance of continued support for youth sports in Lincoln.