LINCOLN — A youth sports organization based in Elkhorn broke ground earlier this week on a multimillion-dollar, multi-sports complex that officials project will eventually draw more than 1 million visitors a year.

“We’ll be the second-largest visitor attraction in the State of Nebraska when it’s fully operational,” said Bruce O’Neel, the executive director of the Elkhorn Athletic Association. That, he said, would rank it right behind Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.

The association broke ground on the MD West ONE Sports Complex at 264th and Ida Streets near Valley. Eight artificial turf baseball/softball fields, six synthetic turf soccer/football fields, and a barrier-free field for kids with adaptive needs will all be included in the first phase of construction. The $52 million project will later add more fields.

The project is seeking to capitalize on the lucrative market for regional and national, youth sports tournaments — tournaments that are being held in places like Des Moines and Kansas City now, according to officials.

“A lot of organizers want to put tournaments in Omaha, but we don’t have the right facilities,” said Mark Rath, director of sports for Visit Omaha.

The Omaha area is currently hosting 625 youth baseball teams that are playing in a 13-day, annual Triple Crown Sports tournament that coincides with the College World Series. Youth sports are estimated to be a $19.2 billion industry nationwide.

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