The ribbon cutting celebration has passed – watch a video recap here and read our press release at https://tinyurl.com/2ub6n9bp.
The Goleta Community Center (GCC) Reopening Ribbon Cutting celebration is almost here. Get ready to join us on April 4th at 10:00 a.m. on the historic steps of the GCC (5679 Hollister Avenue) for this special community event. Spanish interpretation will be available. We can’t wait to officially mark the reopening of this beloved community hub which has been closed for more than a year due to seismic retrofitting. The auditorium and dining room have been closed since 2021. We encourage everyone with connections to this beloved facility to join us for this important milestone.
Here is what to expect. Come hear about the history of this almost 100-year-old facility, what it took to get to this point, and exciting plans ahead for the GCC. Speakers include Mayor Paula Perotte, District 2 Councilmember James Kyriaco, U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, Santa Barbara County 3rd District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and the City’s Parks and Recreation Manager JoAnne Plummer. Following comments, there will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting and photo opportunities. Stay after to take a look inside and check out the 2nd Annual Senior Expo taking place.
The Senior Expo is a free community event from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 4th. For more information on how to attend or participate, contact JoAnne Plummer at jplummer@cityofgoleta.org or 805-562-5505.
For additional info on the GCC and how to book the facility, go to www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.
Background:
Originally built in 1927, the building located at 5679 Hollister Avenue was once a school. 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 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.
We hope to see you at the GCC on April 4th!
