The Pella School Board approved contracts for construction of a new Early Childhood Center at their meeting this week. Superintendent Greg Ebeling says the total cost for the facility — including ongoing ground work, is approximately $17.7 million and is one of the cornerstone projects of the bond issue passed by voters in November 2021. Ebeling says foundation work has been ongoing since the summer, and some elements of the project will be constructed throughout the winter. The goal is to have the new facility operational by January 2024, with full offerings for new preschool options coming for the 2024-25 academic year.