New Athletic Building Rises Up at Santa Barbara City College

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) -  A Monday morning groundbreaking event kicked off the transformation of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) with the start of a new four-story Physical Education building.

It will replace the 1960s-era P.E. building that was recently demolished next to the football stadium.

The project is a 77,000-square-foot facility with an estimated cost of $105 million.

It will be completed with $71- million from the voter-approved Measure P bond and $34 million in state grants. It went through the review and backing of the Community College District. There will be a community oversight committee to review how the funding is spent.

At a groundbreaking ceremony, SBCC Board of Trustees President Jonathan Abboud said, in addition to uses for the college it will be "a convention center that Santa Barbara has never really had. That means  commencements,   community events, conferences and economic development that strengthens our entire district that Santa Barbara City College can be the home of.  "

The uses will be far reaching according to Santa Barbara City College President Erika Endrijonas, "we have a whole bunch of PE and athletics classes open to the community and the community is going to be able to come here and they are already coming here they are just going to get more of an opportunity to be in a beautiful building."

The campus says the building will have these benefits:

• Sustainability Focus: Targeting net-zero energy usage, aligning with SBCC’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
• Flexible Use: Will serve Physical Education, Kinesiology, Athletics, and Health Education programs, in addition to all campus programs, with adaptable instructional spaces.
• Equity & Access: Offers improved accessibility and inclusive design to better support all students, including those in SBCC’s growing allied health and athletics pathways.
• Student Support Spaces: Includes areas for academic counseling, wellness services, and community events.
• Outdoor Integration: Seamlessly connects with SBCC’s athletic fields, track, and ocean views—enhancing the student experience both inside and out.

"It is a teaching a facility.  It is an athletics facility.  It is so many things and it is really beautiful.  We are really lucky," said Endrijonas.

Completion is expected in late Spring of 2028.

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