NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Breaks Ground on $24 Million Youth Complex in Las Vegas

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal officially launched construction of his most ambitious philanthropic project yet, the Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex, during a groundbreaking ceremony held in Las Vegas on June 27, 2025, marking a transformative moment for thousands of underserved youth across Southern Nevada. The state-of-the-art facility, representing a $24 million investment in the community, will serve as a collaborative hub for two of the nation’s most impactful youth-serving organizations: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada.

Standing alongside local dignitaries, community leaders, and nonprofit partners, O’Neal celebrated the commencement of what promises to become one of the most comprehensive youth development centers in the United States, featuring cutting-edge amenities designed to address every aspect of young people’s growth and success. The ceremony brought together an impressive roster of speakers including Dr. Lisa Morris Hibbler, executive director of The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, Sandra Douglass Morgan, president of the Las Vegas Raiders, Andy Bischel from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, and Tami Hance-Lehr from Communities In Schools of Nevada, all united in their commitment to empowering the next generation.

The architectural marvel, designed by the renowned firm Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto and constructed by CORE Construction, will encompass an expansive 30,000 square foot Boys & Girls Clubs clubhouse alongside the nation’s first-ever Communities In Schools Alumni Center, creating an unprecedented model for comprehensive youth services. This innovative Alumni Center, made possible through the generous support of the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, represents a groundbreaking approach to supporting former CIS students as they transition into adulthood, providing continued mentorship and resources long after their school years have ended.

The complex’s impressive scale extends far beyond its clubhouse facilities, featuring a massive 54,000 square foot multi-sports field generously sponsored by the Las Vegas Raiders, ensuring young athletes have access to professional-grade training and competition spaces that rival those found at elite sporting venues. Additionally, the facility will house a UFC-themed mixed-martial arts and boxing center, reflecting Las Vegas’s status as a premier destination for combat sports while providing youth with structured outlets for physical fitness, discipline, and character development through martial arts training programs.

Inside the state-of-the-art clubhouse, young people from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade will have access to an comprehensive array of resources designed to support their academic, social, emotional, recreational, and technological development needs. The facility will feature specialized spaces including an Early Childhood Learning center equipped with age-appropriate educational tools and environments, a full-sized gymnasium for sports and large group activities, dedicated mental wellness rooms staffed by professional counselors, and cutting-edge technology and innovation labs where students can explore STEM fields, coding, robotics, and digital media production.

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation breaks ground on the Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada – The Warren Group

This groundbreaking celebration comes nearly one year after Clark County commissioners unanimously approved the donation of a five-acre plot of prime land to The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, demonstrating the community’s strong commitment to supporting youth development initiatives and recognizing the transformative impact such facilities can have on entire neighborhoods. The strategic location of the complex ensures accessibility for families across Southern Nevada while positioning the facility to serve as a beacon of hope and opportunity in an area where such resources are desperately needed.

With construction officially underway, the Shaquille O’Neal Youth Complex is projected to reach completion in late 2026, at which point it will begin serving thousands of young people annually through comprehensive programming designed to address the multifaceted challenges facing today’s youth. The facility represents more than just a building project; it embodies O’Neal’s vision of creating sustainable pathways for underserved youth to achieve their full potential while building stronger, more resilient communities.

The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation is offering community members and corporate partners unique opportunities to leave lasting legacies by naming various rooms and specialized spaces within the facility, creating a meaningful way for donors to directly impact the lives of countless young people while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the complex’s operations and programming.