Shaquille O’Neal Tours Las Vegas Youth Complex

Construction Advances Toward 2026 Completion

Nearly one year after breaking ground, NBA Hall of Famer, member of Communities In Schools (CIS) national board of directors, Boys & Girls Club (BGC) Alumni Hall of Fame and founder of The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, Shaquille O’Neal, returned to the site of the future Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex last week. He was joined by UFC President & CEO Dana White, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, and leadership from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada, to tour construction progress and reaffirm their shared commitment to local youth.

The $24 million, 87,000-square-foot complex—developed by The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada—is at the halfway point of its construction timeline, with visible structural progress across the clubhouse and multi-sports field. The project remains on track for completion in late 2026 with an early 2027 opening. Timelapse video of construction progress is available here.

“I’m grateful to our dynamic board, the donors, and the partners who have stepped up to make this vision a reality for the young people of Las Vegas. This project shows what can happen when a community comes together with purpose,” stated O’Neal. “Under the leadership of the Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Lisa Morris Hibbler, construction is on schedule, and we’re excited to see this complex change lives for years to come.”

Designed by Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto and constructed by CORE Construction, the project boasts a 30,000 square foot BGCSNV clubhouse and the country’s first-ever CIS Alumni Center. The CIS Alumni Center, made possible in part by the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, is dedicated to serving former CIS students. Thanks to generous donations from local sports organizations, the complex will also feature the first-ever UFC-branded mixed martial arts and boxing center and a Las Vegas Raiders themed 54,000 sq. ft. multi-sports field. Additional funding provided by the Los Angeles Lakers will bring a Lakers themed gymnasium and basketball court to the facility. The state-of-the-art complex clubhouse includes other amenities such as an Early Childhood Learning center, mental wellness rooms, technology and innovation labs, and more to provide youth in grades PK-12 with academic, social, emotional, recreational, and technology resources to promote youth development and long-term stability.

“The Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex represents what’s possible when we invest in students not just during their time in school, but beyond graduation,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and state director, Communities In Schools of Nevada. “The CIS Alumni Center will allow us to continue walking alongside our students as they enter young adulthood and pursue higher or vocational education, careers and long-term stability. It’s a critical extension of our work and a powerful commitment to their future, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and all our partners who are coming together to make this dream a reality.”

“The Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex is a powerful example of authentic community collaboration—bringing together complementary services with support from civic, corporate and philanthropic partners to better serve youth and families in an under-resourced neighborhood,” said Andy Bischel, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. “My compliments to the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation for uniting these efforts and helping extend the youth development impact of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada for generations to come.”

During the visit, project partners highlighted key milestones since construction began on Aug. 1, 2025, including:

• Exterior of the building is substantially complete  
• Entering the finishing phase on the interior build-out
• Naming Campaign has met 74% of its goal to raise $5.4M