OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Improvements for youth sports are coming to Tranquility Park, but it will be another two years before teams can advantage of the changes.
“The local United States Youth Soccer Leagues, the local catholic leagues through CYSL, everyone has been struggling for game space,” said Christina Lewis, Youth Program Director with Sporting Nebraska FC Soccer Club.
About 2,200 kids play under Sporting Nebraska FC Soccer Club. With limited space, metro teams must travel out of Omaha to Lincoln, Nebraska City, or Iowa for matches.
Tournaments are a challenge, especially at the recreational level.
“It is also not allowed, the state association or the other clubs to run as many tournaments locally so our teams may have to travel more for tournaments,” said Lewis. “Our teams may have had to travel more for tournaments because they wouldn’t have a large complex like tranquility available.”
Lewis says the extra travel time has not impacted team attendance but can put a strain on parents who have to commit to a longer drive which can mean spending more for gas, food, and hotels.
It can also impact other participants on the field.
“For our volunteer coaches who coach more than one team, it would be great for them to go to one spot and get that done,” explained Lewis. “And for our referees, there is always a lack of referees unfortunately. So for us to have those referees in one place and to be able to have mentors and educators there in one place it is just an advantage.”
Relief, though, might be on the way courtesy of a $65 million improvement project at Tranquility Park. The funding is being considered by Omaha City Council with a final vote expected in two weeks.
On Tuesday, council made way for 12-16 turf fields for soccer, baseball, and softball to be built. Along with concession areas and parking facilities.
“It’ll be a great convenience for our families and our coaches and our referees and it will allow Nebraska State Soccer to schedule games much more efficiently,” said Lewis. “In addition, it will allow Nebraska to be a destination spot for regional or national events which we would like to host.”
It will take some time before we see the benefits of the project at Tranquility Park. It is expected to be closed through the fall of 2027 for improvements.
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