The Pella City Council received a presentation about a potential concept for the renovation of the Pella Community Center from the Friends of the Pella Community Center at their meeting Tuesday.

Representatives from Schemmer and Associates gave a detailed design plan for a potential renovation option to expand and update the current facility on Union Street. Challenges to ADA accessibility, current oddities and inconsistencies in the building as it is, and issues with mechanical systems were all discussed. The overall concept would add nearly 9500 square feet over three floors of new space on the west side of the building, with many of the facilities current functions–such as entrances, stair access, restrooms, and an elevator all moving to the new addition. That, in turn, would allow for significant overhaul of the space as it stands today, including several upgrades to current areas such as the gym, mechanical areas, and offices.

Schemmer and Associates gave a preliminary estimate of $13.3 million for cost, not including engineering fees. That would include $4.3 million for the new addition and entrances and approximately $9 million for renovation of the current 42500 square foot facility.

No formal action was taken on the concept, as the council intends to continue gathering public input and reviewing other options for the Pella Community Center between now and the end of the year, but some of the members expressed gratitude toward the Friends of the Pella Community Center, who ultimately paid Schemmer and Associates for their research and development of the plan. Representatives of the non-profit expressed a desire to help the city raise funds and partner with the city for renovation of the current facility.

Following the presentation, council also approved a change order with NewCom Technologies relating to the engineering of a new telecommunications utility. Council also held three closed sessions to start the meeting, with no formal action taken after.