A major initiative of Pella’s mayor in his first term to expand quality of life amenities could face some additional hurdles in his second four-year stint with the council.
Mayor Don DeWaard remains confident the council will ultimately proceed with an indoor recreation facility plan in some form or fashion this year, even with new faces serving the city and challenges related to acquiring support from other government entities in the area.
DeWaard still believes the project should move ahead into groundbreaking over the next year, and that major decisions related to the final scope and cost of the rec facility will ultimately be made by the council once bids are secured early this spring. DeWaard also cites $15.5 million in private support tied to construction.
Newly-elected councilmember John Butler and returning member Harold Van Stryland both expressed significant concerns during their fall election campaigns with the up-to $50 million proposal for a space that would possibly include new gyms, a new pool, indoor turf, and other amenities. The two members who have now started their terms echo similar points made by current councilmember Lynn Branderhorst, who has opposed many of the steps approved thus far. At least one of the three would have to vote yes in order for any type of plans to move forward; the mayor can not break ties for the vast majority items related to the Pella City Council. All three have cited general obligation debt tied to the funding proposal, long-term operations costs, potentially difficult land acquisition necessary to complete the University Street construction, and the overall large cost of the rec center as reasons for their hesitation to proceed.
The Marion County Board of Supervisors ultimately differed a proposal from the City of Pella for a $10 million bond over 20 years to finance the extension of University Street in relation to the proposed facility on the north side of the Pella Sports Park, and the council and county remain in negotiations for redistribution of Local Option Sales and Service tax funds that would also be directed toward the long-term facilities plan. The Pella Community School District has also not acted on a $5 million ask related to a possible pool included in the project that could allow the Dutch to have a home swim team.
From the latest update given to the Pella City Council in a public session, a facility that included two indoor gymnasiums, a competition swimming pool, and indoor turf, combined with possible extension of University Street from 240th to 250th Place, would ultimately cost $43.5 million. The latest proposal would issue $15.7 million in a bond from the LOSST tax and a $7.5 million general obligation bond for the road — with the other half covered by cash on hand and $15.5 million in pledged donations from various private businesses and other donors.