City College breaks ground on new Physical Education building

The $198 million Measure P bond will fund the long-planned facility construction.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen print of a basketball repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the energy and excitement of the college's new athletic facility.The groundbreaking of Santa Barbara City College's new Physical Education and Athletics facility represents an investment in student recreation and wellness programs.Santa Barbara Today

Santa Barbara City College held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 6 to celebrate the start of construction on a new Physical Education and Athletics building. The project is the first to be funded by Measure P, a $198 million bond measure approved by voters to improve campus facilities. School officials, construction teams, and community members attended the event, which featured light refreshments, ceremonial shovels, and announcements about the early stages of construction.

Why it matters

The new PE and Athletics building is a significant investment in City College's infrastructure and will provide updated facilities for the school's sports programs and physical education classes. The project is part of a broader effort to modernize the campus and enhance the educational experience for students.

The details

The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of construction on the new PE and Athletics building. Representatives from the construction team outlined the scale of the project and discussed the early stages of construction. City Council member Oscar Gutierrez, Superintendent-President Erika Endrijonas, and Board of Trustees President Jonathan Abboud participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking, using shovels to symbolize the beginning of the construction process.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 6, 2026.
  • Construction on the new PE and Athletics building is just beginning.

The players

Shane Kitchen

A representative of the construction team who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Oscar Gutierrez

A City Council member who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Erika Endrijonas

The Superintendent-President of Santa Barbara City College who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Jonathan Abboud

The President of the Santa Barbara City College Board of Trustees who participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“The new PE and Athletics building is a significant investment in City College's infrastructure and will provide updated facilities for the school's sports programs and physical education classes.”

— Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent-President, Santa Barbara City College

What’s next

Construction on the new PE and Athletics building is expected to continue throughout 2026 and into 2027, with a targeted completion date sometime in 2027.

The takeaway

The groundbreaking ceremony marks an exciting new chapter for Santa Barbara City College, as the school begins to modernize its facilities and enhance the educational experience for students through the Measure P bond program.