Marion County Bank has pledged $50,000 over five years to support the Friends of the Pella Community Center’s renovation of a beloved community landmark. Built over 100 years ago as Pella’s first high school, the Community Center now hosts Crossroads of Pella, an art center, the Joan Kuyper Farver Art Gallery and Auditorium, a gym and other multi-use spaces. To ensure its continued service, the Community Center requires essential upgrades for safety, accessibility and to enhance art, cultural and recreational programming. These upgrades will be made while preserving the historical significance of the building.

Marion County Bank’s donation will help fund the renovation plan, which could include a new main entrance, accessible restrooms, and improved programming spaces if certain fundraising goals are met. The project, a partnership with the City of Pella, aims to raise enough private funding to enhance the Center’s functionality and preserve its historic significance for generations to come.

“Supporting the Friends of the Pella Community Center means investing in a space where our community can learn, connect, and thrive,” said Steve Kraayenbrink, Marion County Bank President and CEO. “We’re honored to help preserve a place that is so meaningful to our community and ensure it remains accessible and inviting for future generations.”

“We are grateful for Marion County Bank support, which brings us closer to our goal of a vibrant, inclusive community hub,” said Pati VanZante, Board President of the Friends of the Pella Community Center. “This project is about honoring our past while making a valuable investment in our future.”

For more details about the Friends of the Pella Community Center renovation project or to get involved, visit The Friends of the Pella Community Center Website.