The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the Louise Lowry Davis Center, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at 111 W. Victoria St.

The century-old building underwent a full-scale renovation to serve as a more functional, accessible, and comfortable space for community programs, services, and events, the city said.

The ceremony will include remarks from city staff on the significance of the project;
self-guided tours of the renovated facility, and refreshments.

Louise Lowry Davis Center was built in 1923 as part of Santa Barbara’s first public high school, and has served as a community recreation center since 1933.

The renovation included reconfiguring a more open and flexible floor plan, installing new doors, double pane windows, and heating and air conditioning systems, enhancing the enclosed courtyard, and accessibility improvements.  
 
Project construction was funded by about $1,500,000 in Measure C funds and about $350,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds.

With the renovation complete, the Parks and Recreation Department aims to have the facility serve as a destination for senior programming and services in Santa Barbara.

The department is currently seeking partners to expand the offering of free programs and services available at the community center.

Interested service providers focused on senior populations are invited to contact Rich Hanna, recreation manager, at RHanna@SantaBarbaraCA.gov to learn more.

When not in use for community programming and services, the facility can be reserved for public or private events of up to 114 people.