It all began with an Olympic-size pool.
“I didn't even realize it has been eight years. When I look back now I’m like wow it really has been eight years,” said Mike Cassling, the Chairman of the Board for the Nebraska Multisport Complex.
When the Olympic Swim Trials came to Omaha in 2008, Mike Cassling dreamt up the idea of a multisport complex centered on swimming, soccer and tennis.
After the 2012 Olympic Swim Trials Cassling purchased the trial pool in hopes of giving it a permanent home.
“We're had a few hiccups and challenges along the way, but I think with any project this big there will be hiccups and challenges,” said Cassling.
Cassling and the City of Omaha thought Tranquility Park would be the spot for a multisport complex, but the land's layout and city funding became an issue, so it was back to the drawing board.
“Not only are they getting a pool, but they're getting an entire complex and that should be exciting,” said La Vista Mayor Doug Kindig.
An almost 200 acre sod farm in La Vista near 120th and Giles will soon become the 2nd biggest tourist attraction in the state behind the Henry Doorly Zoo.
“We have great highway access, hotels, restaurants, all the things needed to make this a huge success,” said Cassling.
Cassling says there's nothing like it in our state. Twenty-four tennis courts, five pools and numerous outdoor fields are projected to bring in more than one million users and $18 million annually.
“I think we'll have a huge impact on keeping people here and also bringing people to the city, state and the metro area,” said Cassling.
La Vista Mayor Doug Kindig says he couldn’t have asked for a better project to help make his city’s master plan a reality.
“We do expect more restaurants, sports bars, we’re hoping retail and even more hotels to come to the area, which is what we've planned for all along,” said Kindig.
Mayor Kindig says his city has committed around $10 million to help pay for infrastructure at the complex. Cassling says right now the complex is projected to cost over $100 million.
The Nebraska Multisport Complex should be open late 2017, early 2018.
