The Pella City Council will consider scheduling a public hearing to receive bids for the proposed indoor recreation center project at their meeting Tuesday.

The council could schedule an opening on April 2nd to consider approval of a contract for the proposed 78,000 square foot facility at the northwest corner of the Pella Sports Park.

Engineer Shive-Hattery has estimated that the base bid would cost $27.5 million for two full-sized gymnasiums, a competition swimming pool, indoor turf field, a bouldering wall, indoor running/walking track, and fitness equipment and areas. Up to $8 million in alternates are also listed, including up to a pair of additional gymnasiums, an indoor recreation pool (which would replace indoor turf if selected), and a south parking lot.

The bids will ultimately determine if the council can even proceed with the project described as a priority by Mayor Don DeWaard. At a January 23rd work session, city administration identified $42 million was available in funding for projects associated with the rec center and renovations to the Pella Community Center. From that pool of resources, that includes $5.5 million set aside for extension of University Street east to 250th Avenue and Baseline Drive north to the new proposed facility.

The Pella City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Pella Public Safety Complex.