The Pella City Council is deep into the planning stages for a proposed indoor recreation center to be constructed at the Pella Sports Park over the next two years. At this week’s meeting, the council discussed the current funding situation and what needs to be raised to finance the city’s long term facilities plan that also includes renovation of the Pella Community Center.

In total, the rec center ($37.5 million to $43 million), renovations to the Pella Community Center ($5.5 million), related infrastructure with the extension of University Street (now $7.62 million), and the contingency total between $53 and $58.7 million dollars. Private fundraising has generated $13.1 million so far, which brings the city’s current total on hand or pledged to $35 million with city funding sources (LOSST and cash on hand), meaning approximately $20 million remains to be raised to complete all projects in their entirety.

Members of the council debated the ongoing process during the session, with Councilmember Lynn Branderhorst expressing concern on using surplus funds to pay for a large portion of the project when there could be several negative factors in the upcoming budget process; others viewed the rec center as a major investment and one worth making, even if there are some risks involved, including Councilmember Spencer Carlstone.

Last week, Mayor Don DeWaard requested $5 million from the Pella Community School District — which will be considered formally at a later meeting by the Pella School Board. At the end of the meeting, DeWaard and City Administrator Mike Nardini indicated they met with U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks — and there is a federal funding opportunity that would require application by March 16th. The city also intends to ask the Marion County Board of Supervisors for funding at some point in the future and have already applied for several state grants and resources.

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