Private fundraising continues for a proposed indoor recreation facility in Pella. On Friday morning, Marion County Bank announced $250,000 in support for the facility, presenting a check to Mayor Don DeWaard and a committee supporting the effort, including Donna Smith, Bob Zylstra, and Dave Sutphen.

DeWaard says there is nearly $15.5 million in private contributions for the proposal.

“Thank you to Marion County Bank, it’s a huge gift and it’s a huge show of support for the project, so I really, really appreciate that. We’ve had tremendous response from the community for this project and a ton of excitement for it; the good thing is that people are not only talking about it, but they are stepping up and making pledges and commitments,” DeWaard says.

As of late September, the Pella City Council projected $43.5 million in available funding. A base plan that will go out to contractors late this winter puts the proposed spending for the effort at $42.8 million, which would include two full-sized gymnasiums, a competition swimming pool, an indoor turf field, and other facility space and exercise equipment.