The Goleta City Council met last month to discuss the Goleta Valley Community Center facility infrastructure needs for this old school building and the future management of the Community Center.  The City took ownership of the property in 2013 but the Center has been managed and operated by the nonprofit organization, Goleta Valley Community Center (GVCC) for many years.

During the 5+ hour workshop, the Council reviewed a great deal of information which can be found here.  While no final decisions were made in the workshop, Council provided direction to staff on what information it would like to see so that they can make decisions to maintain progress on this project. Outcomes from the meeting include:

• The Council reaffirmed its commitment to the Community Center’s original goals of primarily serving non-profits organizations which support all segments of our community with a special emphasis on seniors.
• The Council expressed an interested in enhanced recreational opportunities and programming on the site.  The Council directed information be obtained to allow them to determine how best to address structural needs of the facility to assure it remains available for the community into the future.
• The Council reiterated a desire to maintain a management relationship with a nonprofit organization to run the facility.  The Council asked staff to solicit proposals from a number of organizations which may have interest in managing the facility.  In the interim, the City will work with the GVCC to continue its management. This will give the City the opportunity to choose the best operator for the facility which can support the Council’s vision as a center which offers recreation activities, serves as a meeting place for non-profits, and supports activities and programming for all age groups – from infants to seniors.  City staff will work with existing GVCC Board of Directors to create a transition agreement for Council consideration with the goal to minimize any interruption in service.

If you would like to be added to our email/text notification list on this topic, please visit our website at http://www.cityofgoleta.org/community/stay-connected, click on the very first link (REGISTER) and check the box for the Goleta Valley Community Center.

If you have any questions, please contact Community Relations Manager Valerie Kushnerov at (805) 961-7507 or vkushnerov@cityofgoleta.org.