Pella rec center: $155,000 in change orders so far; staff says project remains within contingency, expects mid‑2027 completion

City staff updated the council on the indoor recreation aquatic center project, reporting current change‑order activity and a revised administrative change‑order ceiling.

Mike said the project is roughly a $30 million undertaking and that the council has authorized an administrative committee (council member Butler, staff and the engineer) to approve change orders up to $200,000 in aggregate or single change orders up to $20,000. To date, staff reported about $155,000 in change orders have been issued with roughly $46,000 of remaining administrative authorization. Staff said total change orders are expected to be well under the project contingency of $900,000 (about 3% of the project cost).

Council member Butler described the origins of recent change orders — design changes from the precast manufacturer, unsuitable soil requiring foundation work, and contractor‑identified issues — and said staff is monitoring the change‑order flow. Council asked whether staff expects to exceed the current administrative ceiling; staff said if the $200,000 ceiling is exceeded they will return to council for additional authorization.

Staff shared construction photos and described that the contractor is making progress; Mike said the project is currently on track for substantial completion around June or July 2027 and an operational opening in summer 2027.

The council received the update and discussed the committee approach to avoid delay. No formal action was required beyond the previously approved committee authority.

Why it matters: the recreation center is a major city capital investment with schedule and contingency implications. Council will monitor change orders and may revisit administrative authorization if needed.