Urbandale wants to build a new community complex

From pickleball courts to a two-story indoor playground — the City of Urbandale is dreaming up big ideas for a new community complex.

Driving the news: The majority of surveyed Urbandale residents (74%) said they would approve a property tax increase for a new community complex, according to a Selzer & Co. poll released by the city Wednesday.

• Urbandale is considering a bond referendum in March 2023 that would increase property taxes by $115 for a home valued at $200,000.

State of play: For over a decade, the city has identified the southeast corner of Meredith Drive and 152nd in the Walnut Creek Regional Park as a potential location for a community recreation complex.

• After the Great Recession in 2008 and a pandemic delay in 2020, Urbandale is now at the right point in terms of its finances and population growth to seriously consider building the complex, said Jan Herke, the city's parks director.

The intrigue: It's up to residents to decide what specific amenities they would like to see.

• City officials will ask the community for feedback at public forums.

Zoom in: For the 500+ Urbandale residents surveyed in April, the majority said they would most likely use an indoor walking track and gymnasiums.

• The most popular program people wanted to learn? Pickleball.

What's next: Bids are currently out for designers. The city is expecting to accept one by its July 4 council meeting.