After being closed to the public for years, the city reopened Plaza del Mar’s Band Shell with fanfare and a concert on Wednesday.

Originally used for outdoor concerts and theater performances, the band shell was closed to the public in 2020 after being deemed unsafe for public use, according to Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation. The city reported general disrepair and structure damage to the floor, roof and other parts of the 1919 building.

Construction started last summer for repairs and upgrades including a new roof and wood stage, restoring the original stage lighting, and adding an access ramp. Additionally, city parks staff managed the new irrigation installation and turf rehabilitation.

The project cost more than $1.3 million with money coming from grants, private donations, and city, state and federal dollars.

Overall the project took about two dozen people to complete, according to Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary.  

“I was essentially the primary lead in initiating the renovation of the band shell but I would say it takes a team to put a project like this together,” Zachary said. 

The new space will allow the city to host free concerts, festivals and private events.

Plaza del Mar “has a long history of being part of a community gathering space,” Zachary said. “That’s really what we want to bring back.”

Aside from free events, the band shell is also available for rent. Zachary explained to Noozhawk that it can be used for graduations, family events and other functions. 

To help fund free concerts, the city set up a sponsorship program soliciting donations from individuals and private foundations.

“We’ll work with anyone that has great ideas about what we can do,” Zachary said. 
Sponsorships can be made through Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation website.

A children’s music concert is already scheduled for next week. Andrés and Christina will perform at 6 p.m. Aug. 29 at the band shell, at 131 Castillo St.