Sports complex promises economic development opportunities

McCOOK, Neb. - Yesterday, details associated with the planned sports complex in Northwest McCook were discussed in a meeting with City Manager Nate Schneider, Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff, and Utility Director Pat Fawver. The City of McCook, they explained, is embarking on its most significant development project since the construction of the golf course in the 1970s and 80s and is tackling a project of daunting complexity.

It begins with the acquisition of land, its annexation as part of the city, and its classification as a “blighted” property. The funding follows with a bond issue and a dizzying combination of grants, improvement districts, tax increment financing (TIF), LB840 funds, and municipal infrastructure programs.

Currently, the project is in the planning phase, and decisions are being made about issues ranging from the size of the sporting facility – which recently gained 10 acres – to the minutia of seat backs in the bleachers and artificial turf.

At the heart of the project is the 40-acre championship-caliber sports complex featuring baseball, softball and soccer fields – all designed for multipurpose use. The facility is being designed to accommodate those and a variety of other sporting activities, complete with dugouts, practice areas, concession stands, batting cages, and a work shed. It will also include the necessary bathrooms and parking.

Future development phases could include the addition of basketball, tennis, pickleball courts, a splash pad, and a field house, ensuring the complex continues to meet the needs of the community as it grows.

That’s just the sports facility. The project also involves residential and commercial properties surrounding the complex. Of course, those homes and businesses will require roads, water, sewers, and connections to other utilities. Delivery of those services will require additional planning, construction, and even more creative financing.

The impact on traffic patterns is being carefully considered too, with a strong focus on ensuring residents’ safety and mobility. Enhancing sidewalks, walking trails, and bike paths is a key objective. Plans include extending trails and sidewalks along Highway 83, connecting them to the existing walking trail network, and adding sidewalks where they are currently lacking

The complex, which is projected to take three years to complete, represents a significant investment in McCook’s future. Estimated infrastructure costs of $10 –$11 million will be funded through a combination of grants, improvement districts, and municipal programs. The city has already secured a $1.5 million recreational grant and is pursuing additional funding through the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) and other municipal infrastructure grants.

Beyond the sports complex, the city envisions a broader development strategy focused on expanding McCook’s tax base and creating new economic opportunities. Schneider explained, “I started looking at this land in 2014. Our auditor said numerous times that the City of McCook needs to start looking to annex land to expand the tax base and bring new development to town and new commercial opportunities.”

Potential developments near the highway would include retail spaces, hotels, and other commercial ventures, all designed to enhance accessibility and attract visitors.

Schneider summed up the aspirations of the project, saying, “In the long run, this is a development that’s going to catapult McCook for future generations. You know, we’ve heard a lot of people say McCook is stagnant … Because we don’t have the amenities that you have in a bigger town. Well, we’re thinking that this is going to get people to look at McCook a little bit differently.” Schneider concluded, “Now, we’re going to have the amenities that you can find in some of those bigger towns. You can attract people to McCook and say, ‘Yeah, this would be a great place to live.’”