Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Project Bid Process
Under Iowa law, the City of Pella must follow the bidding process for Capital Improvement projects, including the Pella Indoor Rec Center, which is subject to these requirements. This defined public bidding process ensures that the best vendor is selected to complete the project, transparency is maintained, and public funds are used effectively. It also fosters competitive pricing and high-quality results.
Before bidding begins, the city hires engineers and architects to create detailed preconstruction documents. These documents specify what needs to be built, providing contractors with detailed information to prepare accurate bids.
Pella Indoor Rec Center Bid Process:
- Council Approval: First, the City Council votes and approves to open the Pella Rec Center project for bids. This ensures the project is on track and sets the stage for a competitive process.
- Bidding Process: The Pella Rec Center preconstruction documents, renderings, and specifications are sent to contractors. Contractors send back bid packages with pricing estimates.
- Review and Decision: Once all bids are received, the City Council reviews them. If the decision is made to move forward with the Pella Rec Center project, the City Council will award the contract to the selected contractor based on the best value and available funding. The addition of Alternative Options to the Base Plan is determined by funds available.
Project Details:
Like many larger City projects, the Rec Center bid is divided into a base project and alternative (additional) options.
The base plan for the Rec Center includes:
- 8-lane competition pool
- 2 gymnasiums
- 3-lane walking track
- Locker rooms
- Multipurpose room
- 8-lane competition pool
- 2 gymnasiums
- 3-lane walking track
- Locker rooms
- Multipurpose room
Alternative Options:
- Alternative #1: Adding a 3rd gym
- Alternative #2: Adding a 3rd and 4th gym
- Alternative #3: Adding a 3rd and 4th gym, and a recreation pool
Who will operate the Rec Center?
At present, no decision has been finalized regarding the operation of the Rec Center. There are two potential options: outsourcing the management to a third-party entity or utilizing City staff for its operation. The determination regarding the operation of the Rec Center will be made by the City Council.
Will the Community Center renovations still take place?
The total estimated renovation costs of the Community Center are $8.3M. The City of Pella has allocated $5.5M of cash-on-hand to the Community Center renovations. Before renovations begin, $2.8M in private donations/pledges will need to be secured. For more information on Community Center fundraising efforts please see Friends of the Community Center’s page.
Will eminent domain need to be used for a road in/out of complex?
No. The City of Pella owns the property where a road extension would be built from the Rec Center east to 250th Place (see road extensions in yellow highlight below) creating a second entrance and exist to the Rec Center/Sports Complex.
Yellow highlight = new roadway
[The 2014 Comprehensive Plan of the City outlines a future expansion of University Street from 240th Place to 250th Place. It’s important to note that this future expansion project is distinct and separate from the Rec Center project.]
Will the Rec Center increase my taxes?
In planning for the Rec Center and Community Center, the City Council established financial conditions for each project, which included the city’s property tax rate. Specifically, before these projects are approved by the City Council, they must be able to demonstrate that they can be constructed and operated without increasing the city’s property tax rate.
Will the facility give priority to tournaments?
The Pella Rec Center operations will be designed with a comprehensive approach to cater to the diverse needs of our community, balancing both citizens’ recreational activities and tournament events. While tournaments will undoubtedly be a component of the center’s utilization, the priority isn’t solely allocated to them.
The aim is to create a space that serves as an amenity for citizens, providing them with opportunities for leisure and physical activity, while also functioning as a tourism generator through hosting tournaments. Therefore, the programming of the Pella Rec Center will be strategically crafted to ensure optimal and fair use for both citizens and tournaments.
By maintaining this equilibrium, we not only uphold our commitment to the local community but also enhance the center’s appeal to visitors, thereby contributing positively to the economic and social fabric of Pella. Thus, while tournaments will certainly be accommodated, they will not overshadow the primary objective of serving the needs of our citizens.
What will happen to the current indoor pool?
The existing indoor pool is 47 years old (built in 1977) and has undergone periodic major and minor repairs/renovations to sustain its functionality over the years at a significant cost. The annual operational cost incurred by the City for this facility amounts to approximately $300,000. The existing indoor pool will close once the Rec Center opens.
Why don't the citizens get to vote on the issue?
In Iowa, project referendums are associated with debt financing. Generally, referendums are required for quality-of-life projects when the City has the ability to issue a separate property tax levy to fund the debt service payments for the bond. This type of bond issue is commonly referred to as a general obligation bond. In this case, the proposed bond issue for the Rec Center and Community is a Local Option Sales and Services Tax Bond. (For this bond issue, the debt service payment will be funded through the city’s Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST). The city will not have the ability to issue a separate property tax levy for this bond. As a result, a referendum is not required for this type of bond issue. It is important to note, the community approved the proposed Rec Center and Community Center as eligible projects for funding in the November 2022 referendum which authorized collection of the LOSST tax in Pella.
Will PDC Fitness close?
Yes. PCD Fitness (308 SE 9th St. Pella) will close once the Rec Center is operational. The current PCD Fitness space will allow New Horizons to expand their childcare center space into the space occupied by PCD Fitness. Members of PCD Fitness may choose membership at the Rec Center.
What can you do?
The public is always invited to be part of any governmental conversations.
You can voice your support or concerns by speaking during the public comment time at any City Council meeting (1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month) or send an email or letter to the City Council members and Mayor.
