Pella council directs staff to seek bids for community center after fundraising assurances; project shows $481,000 shortfall

Pella City staff presented a detailed update on the community center renovation at the Feb. 17 policy and planning session and asked whether council wanted staff to solicit construction bids. The council directed staff to proceed to bidding provided the Friends of the Community Center's pledges and any required financing are confirmed before a construction contract is awarded.

Mike told council the project currently shows roughly $8.5 million in identified revenue versus a proposed capital budget just over $9 million, leaving an estimated deficit of about $481,000. He said the Friends of the Community Center have indicated intent to donate $2.5 million, and the state has pledged $500,000.

Consultant John Bloom of Shimer Associates walked council through the base scope and an alternate. The base bid includes new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, fire suppression, a relocated main entry and an elevator addition to provide ADA access to the gymnasium level; the alternate would add a stair addition to improve code-compliant egress and circulation. Bloom said recent work revealed additional site, roofing and masonry scope and an extended sanitary-service connection, which together increased the latest cost estimate by about $500,000 compared with the 2025 estimate.

Council members pressed staff for clarity about what parts of the theater/auditorium would be improved (mechanical, fire-suppression and some back-of-house upgrades were confirmed; seating and major finishes were not). Council member Spencer reported construction progress on the indoor recreation/aquatic center and offered tours.

Representatives of the Friends said they have about $1.3 million in pledges (roughly $800,000 collected) and maintain over $2 million in CDs as available funds; they said some pledges can be financed if needed. Council asked staff to require documented financing commitments or bank letters showing how outstanding pledges will be covered before awarding a construction contract.

Staff said the tentative schedule would include a public hearing in mid-April and potential contract consideration in May, with bidding to begin in March if approved to proceed. Council's direction to solicit bids is conditional on the standard pre-bid and financing checks staff described.

The next procedural step is for staff to finalize bid documents and to present contract terms and verified pledge/financing details back to council before contract award.