Nebraska City seeks sports complex grant money

(Nebraska City) — Nebraska City officials are hoping state resources cover a portion of a proposed sports complex in the community.

At its regular meeting Monday evening, the Nebraska City City Council approved an application to the Nebraska Game and Parks Land and Water Conservation grant program. City officials seek a $1.2 million grant to cover at least a portion of the complex on land located in the northwest portion of the community near the city’s transfer station. City coffers must cover 50% of the grant, or $600,000. Nebraska City Mayor Bryan Bequette tells KMA News the funding would cover phase one of the project, which includes new soccer fields.

“We don’t have soccer fields or multi-use fields,” said Bequette. “So, years ago–I think it’s about four to five years ago–the council had been putting aside some money, and we found a piece of property that we could develop into a sports complex to build soccer fields, and hopefully a four-ballfield diamond.”

Bequette says the city needs a new location for its soccer program.

“Right now, our soccer club is on private property,” he said, “and the gentleman who’s been very gracious in letting us use that for years would like to do something else with that land. Right now, that three-field, itty-bitty soccer field, a mid-range youth field and a full-sized field, he wants to do something else with that. Again, he’s been gracious about letting them use that. We really need to get moving on finding some way to build multi-use fields and soccer fields.”

Bequette says the city seeks additional funding to cover the entire project, estimated at $6 million.

“We’re looking at ways to reduce that cost,” said Bequette, “maximizing the space, and still getting the fields, But, phase one of that is, we don’t have soccer fields, whatsoever. So, that’s the first part. And, we think we can do that for $2 million or less, as far as grading the entire site, and then building those soccer fields, and getting in enough roads and parking to support that.”

The mayor says the state is expected to announced its grant awards in June. Provided funding is set, Bequette hopes phase one is completed in time for next spring’s soccer season. In other business, the council approved a professional services agreement with the Southeast Nebraska Development District for the 5th Rue Street Repurpose project. You can hear the full interview with Bryan Bequette here: