Youth sports in the Midwest continue to grow at a rapid pace with more opportunities for athletes of all levels. Finding space in the region to accommodate teams has become difficult, but the Elkhorn Athletic Association (EAA) is paving the way to change that. The organization recently broke ground and construction is underway on the newest sports complex in Nebraska—the MD West ONE Sports Complex located in Valley, NE, near 264th and Ida Streets.
This state-of-the-art complex will be a signature destination facility for outdoor youth athletics and community recreation, not just for Western Douglas County residents but for the entire region. The MD West ONE Sports Complex will address a wide range of needs including adaptive sports, recreational sports, and competitive sports.
“The complex will allow Nebraska teams to compete in tournaments locally rather than having to travel. It will also attract visiting teams to the area, benefiting local retailers, restaurants, and hotels. The complex is a great example of the spirit of partnership that is helping to grow Nebraska,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.
The MD West ONE Sports Complex will include 16 synthetic turf baseball/softball fields, six synthetic turf fields (soccer/football), a barrier-free field for young athletes with adaptive needs, an infrastructure development of concession stands, restroom facilities, and parking for up to 3,000 vehicles. Phase one is targeted for completion in Spring of 2024. Future plans will also include an indoor multi-sports facility. The MD West ONE Sports Complex will also provide space for a wide range of year-round activities for individuals and families, such as walking paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
In addition to the MD West ONE Sports Complex, the 260 acres will include retail space for hotels and restaurants, multi-family living, and flex-commercial space. The economic development impact is as follows:
• Estimated Build Cost: $55 million (prepared By MCL Construction and Lamp Rynearson)
• Annual Economic Impact: approximately $35-55 million (prepared by Visit Omaha and Omaha Sports Commission)
• Annual Visitors: approximately 1 million visitors annually over a 35-week playing season when fully completed, the third largest visited destination in Nebraska
Construction management for the MD West ONE Sports Complex has been awarded to MCL Construction, design and engineering services will be provided by Lamp Rynearson, the field construction company will be Nemaha Sports Construction, architectural management will be provided by Holland Basham Architects, and land grinding and dirt work provided by Valley Corp. As local industry leaders in Nebraska, these companies bring an unmatched level of experience and expertise to the project. For more information on the MD West ONE Sports Complex, visit
www.elkhornathletics.org.
