To be Presented at April 18 Council Meeting

For many years the Goleta Community Center (GCC) has been an important gathering place for our community. The City of Goleta is committed to restoring and preserving this important resource and has been working on a strategic plan for the future of the GCC that includes input from the community on how to make the facility more vibrant and welcoming.

The project began six months ago when a Working Group of eight community leaders was assembled to provide the City with guidance on the development of the strategic plan. In addition, from mid-December 2022 through mid-February 2023, the City conducted a community-wide survey, a student survey, and a service provider survey seeking public input on what potential programming, services and events residents would like to see at the GCC. The results are in, and with the help of your input from the surveys and key insights from the Working Group, the Strategic Plan for the GCC is nearly complete. The Working Group deserves a big thank you for their efforts to create an ambitious and meaningful Strategic Plan for the GCC. The Plan is now set to be presented to the City Council and adopted at a meeting on April 18, 2023. Please join us at the meeting to learn about the Plan and provide any comments or questions you may have.

District 2 Councilmember and Working Group member James Kyriaco stated “I am excited for the future of the Goleta Community Center! The GCC is such an important landmark for the Old Town business and residential community, with a rich history of providing a home for events, festivals, educational, youth and senior activities. I look forward to restoring the GCC to its rightful place as Goleta’s gathering spot in what is the cultural heart of Goleta.”

District 1 Councilmember Luz Reyes-Martín, who also participated in the Working Group, added “The Community Center is a beloved space, with deep roots and community connections. I have been pleased to participate in the Strategic Planning Process for the Community Center. The process has included in-depth and robust discussions about the strengths and opportunities related to the facility. Of note, the Strategic Plan includes achievable goals and strategies that will help guide the short and long term success of the Community Center.”

The Working Group participated in six meetings and workshops to develop all the elements of the Plan. The Plan establishes a vision for the GCC identifying its purpose and role in the community over the short- and long-term to ensure the programs and services at the GCC match the needs and interests of the Goleta community. The vision guides five overarching goals and outlines specific objectives and tactics to be accomplished over a 5-year span. The Plan reflects current priorities and needs identified by the Working Group and community members that set the expectations for future management of the GCC, whether it is managed by a non-profit lessee or directly by the City.

Please join us at the City Council meeting on April 18, 2023, to be part of this instrumental milestone as we celebrate this historic and beloved facility and move forward in ensuring the vitality of the Goleta Community Center for years to come.

For more information on the Goleta Community Center, please visit www.CityofGoleta.org/GCC.