The Goleta City Council decided Tuesday evening that it would continue direct management of the Goleta Community Center when it reopens after construction of seismic retrofit upgrades.

The community center had been run by the nonprofit Goleta Valley Community Center organization since 1984, and the City of Goleta first assumed management on Jan. 1, after the organization’s lease ended in December 2022.

The council adopted a Goleta Community Center Strategic Plan in April, and construction of the seismic retrofit project is expected to be complete by the end of the year. 

At that point, the main building can reopen to the public while construction of ADA improvements continues in the parking lot and some areas of the building through most of 2024.

City staff recommended that the council have the city manage facility maintenance and upgrades, as well as operations, for at least the first two years after reopening.

That will allow the city to have flexibility while implementing the center’s strategic plan objectives, and offer opportunities for relationship building, coordinating with other city projects, and more.

After about two years, the council and staff are set to check in on the operations and management, and decide whether to continue direct management of the center or have a third party — such as a private for-profit or nonprofit organization, or contracted management with another public entity — take over management of operations. 

The council also authorized city staff to seek proposals for a nonprofit program provider for the Senior Center and the Senior Program at the center.

When the Goleta Valley Community Center organization ran the center, a Senior Center program was offered until its operations were ceased in November 2022, prompting the city’s desire to restart the program.

“Staff from Neighborhood Services quickly stepped in to fill the gap that was left, arranging for continuation and enhancement of programming,” the staff report stated. “However, unlike operational management, staff believe that the first opportunity for Senior Program management would be best left to the many outstanding nonprofits in our area who specialize in program delivery.”

The city would offer the Senior Center space free of charge as well as a grant of $30,000 for the program.

According to the report, city staff aren’t sure whether there are any local nonprofit organizations interested in providing the program, but if no acceptable proposals are received, staff will return with a plan for the city to operate the Senior Center and the Senior Program. 

More information on the Goleta Community Center and the city’s effort to revive its programming can be found on the city’s website here.