‘Turnback tax’ to help make Lincoln a volleyball epicenter, if voters approve
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird says plans to build a world-renown Volleyball complex in Lincoln, should be a clean sweep for the community.
One reason being that the project will not impact taxpayer dollars thanks to a turnback tax, which uses a portion of sales tax collected within 600 yards of the facility, to cover costs.
The ability to utilize this tax tool came from the Sports Facilities Financing Act, however, Lincoln voters must greenlight the use of it before it can be implemented.
If approved, the turnback tax will cover 75% of the project over the course of about 20 years, with the rest of costs covered by private donations.
“This Nebraska for Volleyball project deserves public support because they’re going to do so much public good,” said Baird on Tuesday.
The sports complex set for North 30th and Folkways Boulevard, plans to give Lincoln a courtside advantage through eight volleyball courts, the ability to host national tournaments and even provide a low-cost clinic.
“They will make it possible for anyone in Lincoln to afford the chance to learn the sport, to build the character, to gain the physical strength that comes with playing youth sports,” added Baird.
It will also entice athletes from around the country and the world to come to Lincoln.
“We estimate the annual economic impact anywhere from 20 to $25 million as visitors stay in the Lincoln hotels, eat at the Lincoln restaurants and experience everything that our great city has to offer,” said Derek Bombeck, Sports Director at Visit Lincoln.
Also speaking at Tuesday’s event, former Husker athlete and founder of Volleyball Club Nebraska, Maggie Griffin.
Griffin partnered with the city on this project about a year ago and says it will make a huge impact on the youth.
“Sports is so, so vital for young girls, for their development, for their life skills, for everything that comes after sports,'” said Griffin.
“We just want anyone who comes to the facility to feel like I have a place where I can hang out.”
Another partner, John Goodwin, CEO of the Clyde Malone Community Center, who will oversee after-school programs at the facility.
“Each young person that walks in that door has a gift, and we want to be able to have them understand what that gift is, how to use that gift, for the gift to be deployed to the world, because the world is waiting on that gift,” he said.
Mayor Baird says she hopes for a clean sweep when Lincolnites head to cast their vote on November 3rd.
