Shaquille O’Neal Proposes $24 Million Youth Center in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Clark County commissioners will soon consider plans for a new youth center spearheaded by basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal‘s foundation. The $24 million initiative aims to create the Shaquille O’Neal Youth Development Complex, a 31,123-square-foot facility located near the intersection of Lamb and Lake Mead boulevards.

The commission is scheduled to vote on the proposal at an upcoming meeting, marking a significant step in bringing O’Neal’s vision to life. According to county records, the complex will serve as a hub for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and provide an alumni center for the Communities In Schools of Nevada.

Project manager Chase Wheeler detailed in a letter that programming at the center will focus on a range of important issues, including academics, leadership training, career development, healthy lifestyles, sports and fitness, as well as creative arts. The facility will also include a neighborhood outreach office for the Metropolitan Police Department.

This ambitious project will be situated on a nearly 5-acre site on Kell Lane, previously owned by the county, which has been designated for use by The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. Executive Director Lisa Morris Hibbler expressed optimism about the project timeline, indicating that groundbreaking is expected in late March or early April, with plans for the center to open in fall 2026.

O’Neal, 52, founded the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in 2019 with a mission to uplift underserved youth, primarily in Atlanta and Las Vegas. The former NBA All-Star, recognized for both his towering presence and considerable basketball achievements, is committed to giving back to the communities that helped shape his legacy.

His involvement in community initiatives isn’t new; he organized the “Shaq-to-School” charity event in 2019 where he provided shoes and school supplies to local families through a partnership with Zappos. O’Neal’s philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition in Las Vegas, including receiving a key to the city from then-Mayor Carolyn Goodman in 2021 following a $200,000 donation to renovate basketball courts at the Doolittle Complex.

With this proposed youth center, O’Neal aims to enhance support systems for young people in the area and provide resources to help them thrive personally and academically. As the city prepares for the commission’s vote, community members express hope for meaningful impact through the complex.