UNL Outdoor Track & Field
Higher Education
The Challenge
The UNL Outdoor Track & Field project faced unprecedented obstacles from the start. Awarded in February 2020, just before COVID-19 shutdowns, the project sat idle for over a year, creating enormous pressure to hold pre-pandemic bid pricing amid skyrocketing material costs and supply chain disruptions.
Once construction began, hidden challenges emerged from the site itself. Built on the former Nebraska State Fairgrounds, the area was littered with decades of undocumented utilities, storm pipes, septic lines, and debris that threatened long-term settlement — none of which were included in the original bid documents.
Adding to the complexity, the facility had to be ready for the 2022 track season, forcing Nemaha to rethink traditional construction sequencing and navigate a highly compressed timeline.
Market
Higher Education
Project Scope
9-Lane running track (World Athletics Class II – Certified)
Natural grass field
Site-wide sidewalk
Parking lot paving
Sports lighting
Green space restoration
Key Facts
Strong, long-term relationships with subcontractors and suppliers helped maintain pricing stability during a time of industry-wide cost increases and material shortages.
Despite multiple disruptions, the project was delivered in time for the 2022 track season through careful planning and coordination with all project partners.
Challenge Met
Nemaha turned obstacles into opportunities through innovation, experience, and strategic planning. To protect the schedule and address hidden site conditions, the team reversed the usual construction order: the track was installed first, followed by a temporary bridge system to bring in more than 5,000 tons of aggregate for the natural grass field without damaging the new surface.
By leveraging strong vendor relationships, creative problem-solving, and expert project management, Nemaha successfully delivered a high-performance track and field facility on time for the 2022 season — despite pandemic-era volatility and major hidden risks.
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