The Pella City Council reviewed options for building a new performing arts center versus upgrading the current Community Center at their meeting Tuesday. This new assessment by Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. included a focus group of elected officials and members of the Community Services Department, as well as interviews with the leaders of Pella Police, Fire, and Ambulance. No formal action was taken at this week’s meeting.

The concept would ultimately construct a new performing arts center with either a 500 or 1,000 seat auditorium, on-site parking between 16-70 spots (and additional public right-of-way spaces), and space for expanded Pella Community Art programs and new city council chambers. The projected cost of a new facility would be between $18.6 million and $22.8 million, and the discussion centered on a high-level overview of what could be, with more details available in the future.

If the Pella Community Center project is phased or scheduled in further the future than in the next few years — especially with council also considering a proposed indoor recreation facility at the Pella Sports Park, the cost to meet current service needs would be approximately $750,000 for modernization of the current elevator, improve restrooms, and ceiling updates, and closer to $5.2 million for more significant upgrades to the current facility without expansion considered by the Friends of the Pella Community Center, which could add potentially 20 years of service to the structure without additions to the building.

One of the main concerns brought up during the session and the assessment is the future space needs for public safety officials and first responders — no action will be taken without further consultation with those leaders, as per City Administrator Mike Nardini.

Following this week’s meeting, strategic work sessions are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25 and Wednesday, January 26, in the Pella City Council Chambers at 614 Main Street for further discussion about the goals for the current council through the end of their term in December 2023, which includes long-term department goals, major projects, and more. The Pella City Council intends to complete their long-term facilities plans sometime in March, which follows budget workshops in February.