The Santa Maria Fairpark board members have decided to offer the Central Coast Sports Arena a month-to-month lease while they explore other options for the property, unless they find a renter willing to pay more.

The Central Coast Sports Arena has operated at the Santa Maria Fairpark for 29 years, providing in-line skating and hockey. Owners announced earlier this year that the facility expected to close when the lease is up, given uncertainty about renewal or a large rent increase.

Supporters started a fundraiser in order to gain support for the arena that garnered $1,500. However, CCSA co-owner Tobin Flamm announced on the website on Aug. 26 that they will be closing by Oct. 16, given that their lease ends Oct. 31.

“Despite our efforts, we were unable to reach an agreement that would allow us to continue operating at the Fairpark,” Flamm wrote, “and we have not yet been able to secure another location.”

However, Flamm specified that the CCSA will continue exploring “temporary and permanent locations” to keep the business alive.

“To every player, parent, coach, volunteer, employee, sponsor and community member who has supported CCSA over the years: Thank you for being part of this rink and this community,” the notice read. “The memories and relationships created here will remain long after we leave the building.”

At the Fairpark Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, members reaffirmed that they declined the CCSA’s offer of increasing the current monthly rent of about $3,500 a month to $5,100 per month in the first year and $5,250 per month in the second year of a new lease. According to Fairpark interim CEO Todd Ventura, that rate falls below the building’s roughly $15,000 a month market value.

Ventura believes the offered amount isn’t a “reasonable market range” for a facility of its size. Additionally, Ventura highlighted that the current rate would be $5,390 per month if it had been adjusted for inflation, which it hasn’t been since 2008. 

The CCSA’s current lease ends in October, but the Fairpark has now agreed to let the rink continue at a month-to-month basis at the $5,390 rate, with a 60-day notice to vacate while the Fairpark pursues other options.

Ventura also mentioned that the CCSA doesn’t fit within the 37th District Agricultural Association, which is a state entity under the California Department of Food and Agriculture that oversees the Fairpark and its tenants.

“We appreciate the role the arena has played in the fairgrounds over many years,” Ventura said. “[But] after reviewing the proposal against the Fairpark’s current financial obligations, available market information, and long-term needs of the [37th District Agricultural Association], we cannot recommend approval of the proposed two-year extension with an additional one-year option under the terms presented.”

However, the Fairpark wouldn’t offer the CCSA the revised lease if they find a renter that is willing to commit to paying more than $5,390 a month during a build-out or pre-opening period and is willing to move to a higher, market-value rent once they begin operating.

Ventura said the Fairpark is currently talking with two separate groups about taking over the arena space. While neither entity was named, one group is proposing a broad recreation center, including activities such as basketball and pickleball, while the other is focusing on converting the building into an indoor soccer space.

The Board of Directors voted 3-2 to make the month-to-month lease offer at Tuesday’s meeting. Directors Randy Jones, Brenda Estrada and Kevin Walthers voted in favor, while Kevin Merill and Alyson Draper voted against it.

Flamm declined to comment on the board action as of Tuesday evening.