LINCOLN, Neb - Nebraska’s capital city took the first step in a project aimed to help future generations.

On Tuesday morning, city officials and those from Sampson Construction, Sandhills Global and other entities broke ground on the Sandhills Global Youth Complex, a new set of baseball and softball diamonds just outside of downtown Lincoln.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird called it an exciting day for the city, thanking the area businesses who supported the projects efforts.

“We all go to bat for a team we love, and that’s team Lincoln” Gaylor Baird said. “Team Lincoln is here today to break ground on the complex. So many area partners have come together to support a project that will benefit families in Lincoln and beyond.”

One of those partners is the namesake of the facility is Sandhills Global. Sandhills Company Outreach Coordinator Jim Hansen was on hand for the ceremony.

“Now it’s actual reality, where we’re turning dirt, we can now begin the grading for a great, new youth sports complex that benefit all the families both in town and those coming in from out of town,” Hansen said.

The site will also serve as the future home of the Nebraska Wesleyan baseball and softball teams. Hansen says, helping Lincoln’s future generations of ball players makes it all worth it.

“It means so much to the Pede family and the Sandhills employees to be able to better our hometown with just a tremendous complex like this,” Hansen said.

Also speaking at the event was former MLB gold glove winner, Husker baseball coach, and now Lincoln native Darrin Erstad. Erstad says a special thought about the complex is the future generations that will be able to enjoy it.

“I’m shaking right now, even though it’s 110 degrees out,” Erstad said. “This place means a lot to us and to be able to raise our kids here, our kids may be done and out of here by the time this thing is ready to go, but think about all the future generations of boys and girls this place is going to help. And with college.”