The Pella City Council received an extensive presentation about a looming decision to allow the city to pursue bids for an indoor recreation facility ahead of that vote at their meeting this week.

At policy and planning, the council received a financial update about both the potential new construction and proposed renovation of the Pella Community Center, led by Mayor Don DeWaard and City Administrator Mike Nardini.

Before that discussion, several community leaders spoke in favor of allowing the rec center project to proceed — at least to the bidding phase, which included members of the Fields of our Future group that led the creation of the Pella Sports Park, former Vermeer CEO Mary Andringa, Pella Schools Superintendent Greg Ebeling, Vice President of Athletics Eric Van Kley and Dave Sutphen with the Pella Rec Center fundraising committee. There were multiple other speakers who cautioned the council on possible moves that could make the rec center project a reality, and called for a community vote on the measure.

Find full audio of the meeting here:

DeWaard strongly urged the council to move ahead with the bid process — and said from there, a final decision could be made in March to proceed or halt the project based on the results.

The Pella City Council moved to remove a resolution in April to open bids for the project, before the mayor made a proposal in the summer to allow more time for fundraising before a final decision was made.

Based on numbers presented Tuesday, the total amount of private funds pledged for rec center specifically totalled $16.8 million — and that, coupled with $17 million from the Local Option Sales and Service Tax, places the current project budget at just under $34 million. That would not cover the proposed full build, but does include two gyms, an indoor turf area, and a competition swimming pool.

DeWaard also claims that all of the right-of-way necessary for the University Street extension east has at least been tentatively secured, and that they are awaiting federal approval for use of a $1 million grant to officially purchase the land. A separate bond has been proposed to pay for the road at just under $7 million.

Near the end of the work session, DeWaard indicated a private donor will pay the full cost of the bid letting process — estimated to cost $140,000. There was no disclosure at Tuesday’s meeting as to who that was, but the mayor said there would be a check ready to spend by the December 17th planned vote. The overall timeline for that project is currently slated for fall of 2027 if everything is approved.

Also as part of the presentation during policy and planning, there was a status update regarding the Pella Community Center renovation. The Friends of the Pella Community Center nonprofit is still working to raise private funds to add enhancements to the overall project. The city has also applied for an Enhance Iowa Grant, which could add to a planned $5.5 million contribution to the effort. The Pella Community Center updates could be done by Fall of 2026. There is approximately $1.6 million pledged for that effort to the non-profit group.