Goleta’s favorite gathering spot is opening once again and we want you to be a part of celebrating this joyful occasion. Join us for a ribbon cutting to commemorate the reopening of the Goleta Community Center (GCC) which has been closed for more than a year to seismically retrofit the facility. The auditorium and dining room have been closed since 2021. The ceremony will take place on the footsteps of this historic building which is nearing one-hundred years of age. Spanish interpretation will be available.

The event will be attended by U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County Supervisors Laura Capps and Joan Hartmann, City of Goleta Mayor Perotte, Goleta City Councilmembers and other community leaders and stakeholders.

Mayor Paula Perotte said, “We hope anyone and everyone who has a connection to our beloved Goleta Community Center and understands the important role it plays in keeping our community connected will come celebrate with us.”

Following comments from those associated with the project, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and then a time to tour the facility and learn more about forthcoming programming and rental opportunities. There will also be some free giveaways with the new GCC logo for those who attend while supplies last.

While there is still work to be done to prepare the building to be fully open, the City will be accepting applications from groups looking to book the facility after April 1, 2024.  Go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.

The City is grateful to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for funding 75% of the Seismic Retrofit Project. Thanks to federal Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Carbajal, additional Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades are planned in the coming years to make the building accessible for all users.

Background:

Originally built in 1927, the building located at 5679 Hollister Avenue was once a schoolhouse. The City acquired the building from the Goleta Union School District in 2013. The Goleta Community Center was managed by the non-profit group the Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) for decades. When it was determined that the building needed seismic and accessibility upgrades, the City assumed management of the building in January 2023 and used the construction time to gather input from the community and put together a Strategic Plan for the GCC. You can view the plan here.

The City is excited to see this beloved community hub fully open soon and bustling with activity. We hope to see you on April 4^th for the ribbon cutting.