The Pella City Council will be discussing two main options as it relates to the future of recreational soccer fields in the community at their meeting Tuesday.

During policy and planning, the council will further deliberate about whether to renovate the current Pella Soccer Complex on Neil Drive for approximately $1.3 million, or consider adding new space at the Pella Sports Park for $2.8 million.

Between the city’s fall soccer and the Iowa Rush program, nearly 1,000 participants are expected to participate in the sport in 2024. The current Pella Soccer Complex opened in 1998 after a citywide fundraising campaign. The current space that includes 10 fields of is mainly used by Iowa Rush through a lease agreement, while the city’s program has been located at the Pella Sports Park for nearly ten years.

According to City Administration, “the aging irrigation system has experienced numerous failures, and it is no longer able to supply the water needed to keep the turf healthy and safe for play. In addition, the field surfaces have become uneven over time with the addition of materials and soil settling. The Pella Soccer Complex closed in the spring of 2024 due to safety concerns regarding the condition of the fields. The Iowa Rush South Soccer club activities have been moved to the Pella Sports Park until such time as improvements can be made.”

The current five-year plan for the city focuses on a nearly $1.3 million plan to replace the irrigation system and resurface the fields, while also paving the parking lot and entrance drive at the complex. It would be paid for through a General Obligation bond. The goal would be to complete the project over two construction seasons.

The other option would add six soccer fields, paved parking, and additional restrooms to the east side of Baseline Drive, which would be the $2.8 million plan. However, the city could offset some of those costs by selling the current 27 acres of land at the current complex. City staff told the council in a memo, “The consolidation of all athletic facilities in one complex would allow for increased maintenance efficiency, convenience for families with children in multiple programs, and potentially additional tournament opportunities. ”

Regardless, depending on the path forward, either renovation or new construction could require a public referendum.

The Pella City Council will discuss both options at Tuesday’s meeting, but no formal action will be taken. Read the full memo here.