LINCOLN - A nearly two decade old plan to make the capital city a major youth sports destination is taking a significant step forward.

Community leaders announced Wednesday morning that construction of the Lincoln Youth Complex is set to begin in the spring of 2023.

The more than $20 million dollar project, which is being privately and publicly funded, will be built just north of Oak Lake, near the intersection of North 1st Street and Cornhusker Highway. The complex will include eight turfed softball/baseball fields and will have parking for more than 750 vehicles.

Executive Director of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jeff Maul, says the complex is expected to bring 100,000 new visitors and $9 million dollars to the city of Lincoln in its first year.

"We're doing great things for youth. We're providing opportunities for youth that otherwise haven't had the opportunity to play on a team or be in an organized sport. But on a bigger picture, you take a look at the economic impact on top of the positive impact, the dollars that are coming into the community. This will be a special facility, unlike anything that Lincoln's ever had."

The complex will also include programs for underprivileged, as well as mentally and physically challenged youth.

Private donors of the project include former Husker baseball standouts, and World Series Champions, Darin Erstad and Alex Gordon.

"The big thing is [it's] a non-profit right. We're not sitting here trying to make money off of kids," Erstad shared. "This is a thing to develop kids, and give them opportunities. When you start talking about that stuff, people go 'Oh, this is real.' This is what we're here for. It's not a joke. We are here for development."

The complex will also be the new home of the Nebraska Wesleyan University baseball and softball programs.

Completion of the Lincoln Youth Complex is planned for the late fall of 2024.

Find out more about the Lincoln Youth Complex here.