May 01, 2025
SBCC Board Votes to Move Forward with Physical Education Building Replacement with $34 Million in State Matching Funds
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April. 28, 2025 — The Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Board voted 5-1-0-1 (one board member was absent)
on Thursday, April 17, to move forward with replacing the Physical Education (PE)
Building on the Cliff Drive East Campus. The priority of the PE building replacement
project is due to $34 million matching state funds that would expire in the coming
year if not utilized. The $34 million would add to the Measure P Bond Extension's
$198 million and maximize facility improvements.
“We are grateful to our community for passing the Measure P Bond Extension by 66 percent,” said SBCC Board President Jonathan Abboud. “The Physical Education building is being done first because of $34 million in state matching funds that expire in June 2025 if not used — this is money we do not want to lose. Another $71 million from the bond, 36 percent, would go towards this project’s estimated $105 million total cost.”
The Board voted to award contracts for demolition, general construction, hazardous materials abatement, inspection and laboratory services to the lowest priced responsive bidders. Watch the bid presentation by Shane Mahan, Construction Manager at Kitchell CEM, and SBCC Board discussion here.
The Physical Education Replacement project will take the existing Physical Education building, dismantle it and rebuild within its footprint. The existing Physical Education building was built in 1963 and does not meet current Title IX regulations.
The new building will be a four-story, 77,187 square foot building that will include programmatic spaces for an NCAA gymnasium, multi-disciplinary classrooms, dance and exercise rooms, fitness center, and employee offices. The new building will also serve as a community emergency/disaster recovery center. In the past, SBCC has served the community in this way, including housing a Red Cross temporary shelter in the wake of the post-Thomas Fire debris flow in January, 2018. The new building and surrounding site development will be more open, allowing for more ocean views and a welcoming atmosphere. Construction is set to begin in Fall, 2025, and end in Spring, 2028.
“If we think about our community needs and economic vitality – this new building makes sense,” said SBCC Board Vice President Kyle Richards. “In addition to supporting our Physical Education and Athletics departments, I see this building as a convention center for Santa Barbara County that can attract large scale events that can contribute to the local economy. The building will be able to support our community in times of natural disasters and emergencies and could potentially serve as a host venue for large community events.”
For the latest updates on the Measure P Bond Extension please go to SBCC.edu/Measure-P.
“We are grateful to our community for passing the Measure P Bond Extension by 66 percent,” said SBCC Board President Jonathan Abboud. “The Physical Education building is being done first because of $34 million in state matching funds that expire in June 2025 if not used — this is money we do not want to lose. Another $71 million from the bond, 36 percent, would go towards this project’s estimated $105 million total cost.”
The Board voted to award contracts for demolition, general construction, hazardous materials abatement, inspection and laboratory services to the lowest priced responsive bidders. Watch the bid presentation by Shane Mahan, Construction Manager at Kitchell CEM, and SBCC Board discussion here.
The Physical Education Replacement project will take the existing Physical Education building, dismantle it and rebuild within its footprint. The existing Physical Education building was built in 1963 and does not meet current Title IX regulations.
The new building will be a four-story, 77,187 square foot building that will include programmatic spaces for an NCAA gymnasium, multi-disciplinary classrooms, dance and exercise rooms, fitness center, and employee offices. The new building will also serve as a community emergency/disaster recovery center. In the past, SBCC has served the community in this way, including housing a Red Cross temporary shelter in the wake of the post-Thomas Fire debris flow in January, 2018. The new building and surrounding site development will be more open, allowing for more ocean views and a welcoming atmosphere. Construction is set to begin in Fall, 2025, and end in Spring, 2028.
“If we think about our community needs and economic vitality – this new building makes sense,” said SBCC Board Vice President Kyle Richards. “In addition to supporting our Physical Education and Athletics departments, I see this building as a convention center for Santa Barbara County that can attract large scale events that can contribute to the local economy. The building will be able to support our community in times of natural disasters and emergencies and could potentially serve as a host venue for large community events.”
For the latest updates on the Measure P Bond Extension please go to SBCC.edu/Measure-P.
